Paris –The French government has announced the release of French national Olivier Grunewald, who had been held in Iran for 887 days. Grunewald has returned home and reunited with his family and loved ones — a moment the French authorities described as “a profound source of relief.”

In an official statement from the Élysée Palace, it was declared:

“Olivier Grunewald is finally free. He spent 887 days in Iran as a hostage and is now reunited with his family and relatives in his homeland. This brings us immense comfort.”

Grunewald was arrested in Iran in 2022, part of a series of detentions involving Western nationals, whom Iranian authorities often accuse of espionage or threatening national security. France has consistently condemned these detentions as arbitrary and part of a deliberate policy of state hostage-taking, and has repeatedly called for the release of its citizens held in Iran.

Intensive Diplomatic Engagement

Grunewald’s release followed months of intensive diplomatic efforts involving high-level figures, including officials from France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Presidency. French authorities reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to securing the release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two other French nationals still detained in Iran.

Humanitarian and Political Implications

Grunewald’s return marks a rare positive development in the strained relations between Paris and Tehran, which have been affected by disputes over human rights issues, Iran’s nuclear program, and the detention of foreign nationals.

The news of his release was met with widespread reactions from French political and human rights communities. Many hailed it as a victory for humanitarian diplomacy, while renewing calls to end the use of foreign detainees as political bargaining chips by state actors.