Iran's Foreign Ministry has rejected allegations by the French government that Tehran was involved in cyberattacks targeting retail chains in France, describing the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry strongly condemned recent remarks by French officials linking Iran to alleged cyber activities in the country.

It said the accusations were part of a series of repeated allegations intended to divert public attention from what it described as France's destructive policies toward Iran and the West Asian region, including its decades-long hosting of terrorist groups and support for the genocide of Palestinians.

The ministry described the allegations as an irresponsible attempt to tarnish Iran's international image and undermine its relations with other countries, arguing that they served the interests of the United States and Israel, which it accused of being major violators of international law.

It also accused French officials of using the allegations to deflect attention from domestic problems, including governance failures, an inability to address public demands, and weaknesses in the country's administrative and infrastructure systems.

The statement urged the French government to focus its resources on meeting the economic and educational needs of its citizens rather than spending substantial sums on interference in the affairs of other countries.

It also accused France of exploiting diplomatic cover and initiatives presented as cultural projects to pursue activities against other nations.

Concluding its statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reminded France of its international responsibilities regarding actions it said violated international law and its unlawful interference in Iran's internal affairs.

It stressed that Iran would not hesitate to take necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard its national interests and security against unlawful foreign activities. (ILKHA)