Iran has released French citizen Olivier Grondeau after more than 880 days of imprisonment, Hamshahri Online reported on March 20.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the release on social media, writing: "Olivier Grondeau is free and in France with his family. We share in the immense joy and relief of his family." Macron thanked "all government institutions, our ambassador to Iran" and others involved in securing Grondeau's release.

The release coincides with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, when Iran has traditionally freed prisoners on March 20 and comes after tensions between Tehran and Paris over several issues, including illegal migrants.

Jean-Noël Barrot, France's minister for Europe and foreign affairs, posted a picture online of Grondeau smiling aboard what appeared to be a private jet.

Grondeau's case first became public in January when he spoke about the political nature of his detention, saying: "You become a human who has been stocked away indefinitely because one government is seeking to exert pressure on another."

The release comes as France and European countries attempt to pursue negotiations with Iran regarding its rapidly advancing nuclear programme, while US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to jumpstart talks.

Trump is simultaneously putting pressure on Tehran over its support for Yemen's Houthi rebels as American military forces have launched an intense new campaign of airstrikes targeting the group.

In October 2022, Iran's then-judiciary spokesman Masoud Setayeshi had provided information about the arrest of "two French spies," describing the case as "very important" with dimensions requiring further investigation. He stated the detainees were charged with "assembly and collusion with the aim of confronting Iran's security as well as espionage."

Macron and Barrot said that two other French citizens, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, remain imprisoned in Iran and called for their release.

The French Embassy in Tehran has not yet updated its website to announce the news but continues to warn French citizens to leave Iran due to tensions. It writes on the embassy site's front page, "French citizens residing in Iran who are able to do so are advised to temporarily leave the country."