French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has asked the Iranian ambassador in Paris to appear at the foreign ministry over the closure.

France said the decision was another blow to its cultural activities in Iran and rejected the allegations made by Iranian authorities against the centre.

“This is a new attack on French cultural activities in Iran,” French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said, calling the closure unjustified and unacceptable.

Iran announced on Sunday that it had closed the French Language Centre in Tehran following a judicial order.

Iranian authorities said the centre had gone beyond teaching French and had violated Iranian laws as well as agreements governing relations between the two countries.

They accused the centre of using its language-school activities to build contacts with influential Iranians and help some people leave the country.

France rejected those allegations and said it would respond to the closure with appropriate measures.

The dispute adds to a relationship that has become increasingly difficult in recent months.

Paris and Tehran have already exchanged accusations over the treatment of diplomatic personnel, with France accusing Iran of targeting its citizens and diplomats, while Tehran has accused France of interfering in its domestic affairs.

The two countries also remain at odds over Iran’s nuclear programme and several other regional and diplomatic issues.

French and Iranian officials are expected to have further contact on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

For now, what began as the closure of a centre where people went to learn French has opened another diplomatic dispute between Paris and Tehran.