Key facts
- Sweden expelled an official from the Iranian embassy in Stockholm.
- The expulsion was due to activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
- Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stated Iran has conducted security-threatening activities in and against Sweden.
- These activities targeted opposition figures, as well as various Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden.
- Strömmer noted that criminal networks were used in these activities.
- Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated the expulsion was to protect Swedish citizens and interests.
Sweden's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador on Wednesday and asked an official at the Iranian embassy in Stockholm to leave the country. The ministry cited activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, without specifying the nature of the activity.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stated that Iran has for a long time been conducting security-threatening activities in and against Sweden. He elaborated that these activities have targeted opposition figures, as well as various Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden, and have been carried out using criminal networks. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard emphasized that the official is being expelled "to protect our citizens and other Swedish interests."