Sweden Expels Iranian Embassy Staff, Summons Ambassador Over Threats to Israeli Interests

Sweden has expelled a staff member from the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm and summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a protest, accusing them of engaging in activities that threaten Jewish and Israeli interests within the country.

According to Reuters, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 16th (local time) that it summoned the Iranian ambassador and asked a staff member of the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm to leave the country.

The move was taken on the grounds that the individual engaged in activities inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Vienna Convention outlines the regulations and privileges of diplomatic missions.

In this regard, Swedish Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer explained to AFP, "We know that Iran has long engaged in activities that threaten security inside and outside Sweden."

"These activities have targeted individuals opposed to the Iranian regime, as well as Jews and Israeli-related facilities and interests in Sweden, often operating through criminal networks," he added.

This is interpreted as an indication that the expelled staff member was involved in actions threatening Israeli and Jewish interests in Sweden.

Previously, Sweden's intelligence agency, SAPO, also accused Iran of recruiting members of criminal gangs to commit "acts of violence" targeting Israeli-related objectives in Sweden.

Iran has denied the allegations. Jonathan Svensson, a spokesperson for the security service, told AFP, "I can confirm that Iran continues to carry out security-threatening activities inside Sweden and targeting Sweden," adding, "This includes attempts to use proxy actors, such as criminal gangs, to carry out attacks or acts of violence."

The Iranian Embassy did not respond to requests for comment regarding the matter, AFP reported.

In recent years, several incidents targeting Israeli-related facilities have occurred in Sweden.

In June 2024, two thermoses containing plastic explosives were found outside the Gothenburg office of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems, and in October of the same year, a 13-year-old boy fired shots at the entrance of the company's office.

Also in October 2024, a shooting incident occurred near the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, prompting the Swedish government to tighten security at facilities related to Israel and the Jewish community.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.