Armed police took a man into custody following reports of his presence at the Iranian consulate near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Elite officers from France's BRI intervention brigade encircled the consulate in response to a witness sighting a man carrying what seemed to be a grenade or an explosive vest.

According to French accounts, the individual eventually exited the consulate.

Police apprehended the man shortly after 14:45 (12:45 GMT).

Photographs from the site depict law enforcement officers apprehending him in the vicinity of the consulate. Subsequently, he underwent a search by BRI personnel and was found not to have any explosives.

French media reported that a man had entered the consulate around 11:00, expressing a desire to avenge his brother's death.

Surrounding streets in the 16th district of the city were sealed off.

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

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.

Noted