France, March 20 -- Iran has freed a French man who was jailed for nearly two and a half years on security charges. Olivier Grondeau, one of three French nationals held in Iran, arrived in France on Monday, the French presidency said.

Officials did not give details about the circumstances of Grondeau's release, which came on Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Iran has previously freed prisoners on this occasion.

Another French national who had been under house arrest in Iran fir severak months, and who requested anonymity, was also allowed to leave Iran, a diplomatic source told the AFP news agency.

Grondeau, who turns 35 next week, has been hospitalised for medical tests after becoming weak during his detention in Tehran's Evin prison.

He...