“These two French nationals, who were in jail for some time on charges of committing security-related offenses, have been released on bail by order of the judge handling the case and will remain under supervision until the next stage of the judicial process,” Baqaei said on Tuesday night.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, expressed “huge relief” at the release of Cécile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, NBC News reported.

Macron welcomed “that first step,” and said talks were continuing with Iranian authorities so the pair could return to France as soon as possible.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also said Kohler and Paris were “safe” at the French Embassy in Tehran while awaiting their “definitive release.”

“They are fine. They are obviously relieved and seem to be in good physical and mental health,” he said on France 2 national television, according to NBC News.

Kohler and Paris were arrested in May 2022 while visiting Iran on charges of espionage.