Cultural diplomacy stories

Sep 20, 2026

Iran shuts French language centre in Tehran, France vows response

Iranian authorities closed the French Language Centre in Tehran on Sunday, accusing the French embassy-linked institute of conducting 'illegal acts that violated diplomatic conventions.' France has vowed to summon Iran's ambassador and take 'appropriate measures' in response to the closure.

Sep 20, 20266 sources

Sep 3, 2026

Russia to close Goethe-Institut branches in retaliation for Germany shutting Russian cultural centers

Russia announced it will shut down branches of Germany's Goethe-Institut cultural centers in response to Germany's closure of the Russian House in Berlin and a Russian consulate in Bonn. The escalating tensions come after Berlin blamed Moscow for an airport drone plot, part of broader Western accusations of Russian sabotage campaigns.

Sep 3, 20265 sources