The boat was interned in Spain from November 1942, following the scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon, finally returning to service post-war until 1950.

Iris, under the command of Lieutenant de vaisseau Degé, with a skeleton crew of only 17 men,[3] escaped from Toulon harbour and once in the open sea submerged until nightfall, evading the screen of German U-boats stationed there to intercept them, and further out British submarines on the same mission.

Degé contacted the French Consul General, who was unable to assist them in procuring any more food and fuel (of which they were desperately short) or gaining any extension to the deadline.

After contacting the French Naval Attaché at Madrid the crew of Iris was offered a simple choice; internment or scuttling.

[4] In January 1943, in order to prevent any escape attempts, the propellers were removed, and in late February Iris was towed to Cartagena.