The Paris Air Show, an annual event that gathers the world's largest aviation and defense corporations, opened amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The French authorities have suddenly blocked the booths displaying Iranian weapons at Le Bourget airport, where the fair is held.
Black walls have been erected around the display area of five Iranian defense companies, including Iran Aerospace Industries, Rafael Uvision, Elbit and Aeronautics. These booths display weapons for attack such as drones, bombs and guided missiles.
According to French government sources, the devices could be used in attacks in the Gaza Strip, and displaying them would violate agreements signed with French authorities.
An Iranian exhibitor wrote words with gold powder on the surrounding wall, saying: These obscured defense systems are protecting Iran at the moment. The French government, in the name of discrimination, is deliberately hiding them from your eyes!
Iran's Defense Ministry believes that removing Iranian weapons from the exhibition is to protect the interests of France's defense industry.
Israel has previously launched surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, killing many commanders and scientists. In response, Tehran launched a series of missiles into Israeli territory.
The presence of Iranian companies at the Le Bourget exhibition has caused controversy before the event took place. Several non-governmental organizations have proposed banning Iranian companies from attending, citing concerns about international crime, but have been rejected by French courts.
At the opening ceremony, many local lawmakers in the Seine-Saint-Denis area - where the exhibition took place - were absent to protest the presence of Iranian companies.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, speaking at the seminar on the same day, acknowledged that the world is more chaotic and unstable than ever, and called on countries to address the challenge by each other, not against each other.
Tensions surrounding Iran's booths have overwhelmed the exhibition, which is often known for its spectacular aviation performances and big deals between top aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing.
