Iran Orders Swedish Diplomat to Leave Within 48 Hours in Retaliation

In retaliation for Sweden's expulsion of an Iranian diplomat, the Iranian government has abruptly ordered a Swedish diplomat stationed in Iran to leave the country within 48 hours.

According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on the 17th (local time), the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Swedish ambassador to Iran earlier that day and notified them of the expulsion of one diplomat belonging to the Swedish Embassy.

Alireza Yusefi, Director General for Western Europe at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Swedish ambassador that "based on the specified reasons, the diplomat must leave Iran within 48 hours."

At the same time, Iran lodged a strong protest, claiming that Sweden has been engaging in insulting rhetoric against Iran and harboring anti-Iran terrorist organizations.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized that "the Swedish government forcibly expelled an Iranian diplomat stationed in Stockholm without any legitimate reason and made baseless, false claims that Iran interfered in Sweden's security."

The ministry particularly argued that "Sweden's recent move is the result of influence from the Zionist regime (Israel) and an attempt to disrupt the normal operations of the embassy."

It further cited the 1961 Vienna Convention, emphasizing that Iran will hold Sweden internationally responsible for its unjust measures and respond firmly in accordance with the principle of reciprocity to protect its national interests.

Iran's latest measure comes in response to Sweden's expulsion of an Iranian diplomat the previous day.

The Swedish government had previously decided to expel the Iranian diplomat on charges of threatening national security, stating that Iran was mobilizing criminal organization networks within Sweden to carry out terror plots targeting the Israeli Embassy and Jewish-related facilities.

Earlier, Swedish intelligence agencies pointed out that Iran had instigated local criminal organizations to order contract terrorism targeting Israeli and Jewish facilities in Sweden.

Incidents such as the shooting near the Israeli Embassy in October 2024 and an attempted explosive terrorist attack on an Israeli defense contractor by recruiting teenagers have taken place.

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