Iran has shut down the French Language Center (CLF), a facility linked to the French embassy in Tehran, citing allegations of engaging in "illegal activities," according to Mizan agency, a body under Iran’s judicial system. The center was one of the country’s primary institutions for teaching French, and its closure was announced by the Iranian judiciary on Sunday, September 20, though no further details were provided. The decision reportedly came from the Tehran prosecutor’s office, which ordered the center’s closure despite its long-standing operation under the guise of language education. According to Mizan agency, the center had been functioning for years, but its activities were now said to extend beyond teaching French, allegedly involving projects deemed incompatible with Iranian-Islamic culture and a threat to national security. The Wana agency, another Iranian news outlet, echoed these claims, suggesting that the center had used its educational programs to promote activities that ran counter to Iran’s cultural and security interests. While the specific nature of these activities has not been disclosed, the closure highlights growing concerns in Iran about foreign influence and the potential misuse of educational institutions for purposes deemed harmful to the nation’s values. The decision to close the CLF underscores the sensitivity surrounding foreign educational and cultural institutions in Iran, which are often subject to strict oversight. Such closures can reflect broader tensions between Iran and foreign entities, particularly in the context of national security and cultural preservation.