Paris police deployed over threat to Iran consulate

Armed police have been deployed in the centre of Paris following reports of a threat to the Iranian consulate.

French media said a witness had seen a suspicious man entering the consulate in the Rue Fresnel not far from the Eiffel Tower.

Pictures from the scene showed police from Frances elite BRI intervention brigade approaching the area.

The entire area around the street in the citys 16th district in the centre was cordoned off.

While the nature of the threat was not clear, the Paris prefect ordered BRI police to rush to the scene.

Sources told French TV that the witness reported seeing the man appearing to have a grenade or explosive vest.

The area around the consulate, which is close to Trocadero and the River Seine, is popular with tourists and the Paris metro was suspended in the nearby area, transport officials said.