Sweden expels employee from Iran's embassy: "The regime threatened Jewish and Israeli targets"

Sweden has ordered the expulsion of an employee from Iran's embassy in Stockholm due to activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status. Iran's ambassador was summoned for a reprimand. Sweden's Justice Minister linked the decision to ongoing Iranian activities against regime opponents, Jewish and Israeli interests, using criminal networks.

The Swedish government today (Thursday) ordered the expulsion of an employee from Iran's embassy in Stockholm, after allegedly being involved in activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status under the Vienna Convention. Iran's ambassador to the country, Hojjatollah Faghani, was summoned to the Swedish Foreign Ministry and notified of the decision. The identity and role of the expelled employee have not been published, and authorities did not detail which specific actions led to the expulsion. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the step was intended to protect Sweden's residents. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer linked the decision to broader Iranian activities, stating that "Iran has long conducted activities that threaten security in Sweden and against Sweden," and that the activities were directed against regime opponents and "various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country," using criminal networks. The security service Säpo confirmed that Iran continues activities threatening state security but refused to provide details on the circumstances leading to the expulsion. However, authorities have not publicly determined that the expelled employee themselves was responsible for the described threats. Meanwhile, Sweden's ambassador was summoned to Iran's Foreign Ministry in protest.