Warning Issued to Two Foreign Diplomats for 'Unauthorized Movement' in Iran's Border Region

An intelligence official from the IRGC in Kurdistan Province reported the confiscation of the cameras of two French and British diplomats in the border area and warned that the security of Kurdistan is a 'red line' for the IRGC. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported on Wednesday, August 17, citing this unnamed security official, that the 'political advisor of France and the second secretary of the British embassy' were accused of 'illegally moving in some areas of Kurdistan Province without coordination and permission.' Meanwhile, the same news agency reported on Tuesday that a knowledgeable source in the Foreign Ministry stated that the travel and meetings of these two diplomats were 'conducted with prior notice.' On the same day, the political and security deputy governor of Kurdistan announced that a 'warning' had been issued to the French advisor and the British embassy representative for 'unauthorized movement' in a border area of Kurdistan. Alireza Ashnagar, the deputy governor, told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday, August 16, that these two individuals 'entered border areas and were taking photographs,' which led to them being warned. Ashnagar denied media reports about the detention of these individuals but confirmed that they were moving in a 'route' outside the 'permitted area' in the city of Saqqez, Kurdistan. He also stated: 'They were supposed to be stationed at the Shahid Hotel in Sanandaj but were seen in border areas while taking photographs of various locations, which was explained to them.' Ashnagar identified the two individuals as Sébastien Sourin, the French embassy advisor, and Charlotte Warren Waller, the British embassy representative. According to this official, when identification documents were requested from these individuals, they 'fled,' and their vehicle was stopped in the village of 'Irankhah,' where they were 'spoken to.' The political and security deputy governor of Kurdistan added: 'The images they took were from the outskirts of military and police centers, valleys, mountains, rivers, and their transit routes, which do not imply any specific exploitation.' This incident reportedly occurred on August 15, and 'they discussed other matters outside their duties during the conversation and were explained.' Iranian officials have increased control over the western borders of Iran following the presence of ISIS forces in Iraq and report sporadic clashes with 'terrorists' in these areas. In the latest such clash that occurred on Tuesday in Kermanshah, four individuals affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) were killed, and six others were arrested. Iranian military commanders have repeatedly warned in recent years about the infiltration of ISIS into Iran, especially from the Iraqi border.