French President Emmanuel Macron announced the release of two French nationals, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who had been detained in Iran for three and a half years on charges of espionage. Their release comes after they had been held in French diplomatic premises following their release from prison in November 2022. Macron expressed relief for their families and thanked the Omani authorities for mediating their return. The release signals Iran's selective diplomatic stance, as it has recently allowed a French-owned container ship to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a region previously affected by Iranian blockades. Macron also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's fluctuating statements regarding Iran, asserting that France would not engage in military operations against Iran and had not been consulted on such matters. This situation has contributed to a deterioration of U.S.-France relations.