Iran summoned the Swedish ambassador over remarks by Minister Johan Pehrson, labeling Iran as a ‘rogue state’ and ‘sponsor of terrorism.’ Iranian officials condemned these statements as baseless and a breach of international norms. Accusations regarding an Iranian student and Sweden’s interference in Iran’s judiciary have further heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
In a significant diplomatic incident, Iran has summoned the Swedish ambassador, Mattias Otterstedt, following remarks made by Sweden’s Minister of Education, Johan Pehrson. The comments were labeled as “provocative and baseless” by Iranian officials, who expressed their discontent at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. Pehrson described Iran as a “rogue state” and a “sponsor of terrorism” during an interview with the Swedish publication, Expressen.
Shahram Qazizadeh, head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Third Department for Western Europe, delivered a formal protest, dismissing Pehrson’s statements as “unfounded, interventionist, and a violation of international norms.” He criticized the Swedish government’s pattern of making baseless accusations against Iran, warning that such rhetoric could severely damage diplomatic ties.
The remarks were provoked by a report from Expressen alleging that an Iranian student at Lund University had connections to Iran’s intelligence services, claims that Iran has vehemently denied. Iranian officials assert that these allegations are part of a broader Western agenda to undermine Iran’s reputation and disrupt academic cooperation.
Additionally, Qazizadeh criticized Sweden for summoning Iran’s ambassador regarding the case of Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish national convicted of espionage through activities with Israel’s Mossad, which were linked to the assassinations of two Iranian nuclear scientists. He asserted that Sweden must not interfere in Iran’s legal processes, stating, “The Swedish government is in no position to challenge the legal decisions of another country or advocate for individuals whose crimes have been established through due process.”
Iran’s summoning of the Swedish ambassador reflects rising tensions due to Minister Johan Pehrson’s comments branding Iran a terrorist state. Iranian officials deemed these remarks unfounded and a violation of international norms. The situation is exacerbated by previous accusations connected to an Iranian student and Sweden’s interference in a judicial matter involving an espionage conviction. Overall, the diplomatic relationship between Iran and Sweden may face further strain if these issues continue unabated.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
