Police are on the scene of the Iranian consulate in Paris, where a man is threatening to blow himself up with a suicide vest, according to local reports.
The individual is currently taking refuge inside the building in the 16th district of the French capital. He is reportedly wearing an explosive belt and is also equipped with an object that resembles a grenade. Europe 1.
The area has been cordoned off and the public evacuated, and a police source said an “intervention was imminent”, suggesting officers were preparing to storm the building.
The police ordered the interruption of Line 6 of the city’s Metro as a security measure.
Officers from France’s BRI special armed police unit are at the scene.
Europe 1 reports that the embassy contacted police for help, reporting that the man was inside the building.
He said he was taking refuge in a room inside the consulate “in the presence of the ambassador,” the outlet reported.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, with the Jewish state launching attacks against the Islamic Republic today.
This was in response to Iran launching more than 300 missiles toward Israel on Saturday, 99 percent of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies.
The retaliatory attacks have raised tensions in the volatile region, raising fears that the Middle East could descend into full-blown conflict.
It was unclear whether the incident in Paris was related to the current crisis.
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Police are seen at the site of the Iranian consulate in Paris, where a man threatens to blow himself up with a suicide vest, according to local reports.