The Iranian government's long-standing practice of detaining foreign nationals, particularly Westerners, as a means of leverage in international negotiations has come under scrutiny once again. This week, two French citizens, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, were released after spending over three years in prison on espionage charges, which their families claim were unfounded. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Europe and the United States in dealing with Iran's controversial tactics, raising questions about the safety of foreign nationals in the region and the implications for diplomatic relations.