Sweden expels Iranian diplomats over alleged threats to Jews and Israel

(Brussels = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hyun Yun-kyung = Accusing Sweden of threatening the interests of Jews and Israel within the country, it expelled an Iranian diplomat stationed in Sweden and summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest.

According to Reuters, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 16th (local time) that it had summoned the Iranian ambassador and asked an employee of the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm to leave the country. This is because the activities did not comply with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Vienna Convention sets out the regulations and privileges of diplomatic missions.

In this regard, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömer explained to AFP, "We are aware that Iran has been carrying out activities that threaten security inside and outside Sweden for a long time. These activities have been targeting individuals opposed to the Iranian regime, Jews in Sweden, and Israel-related facilities and interests, and have been carried out through the use of criminal organizations." The remarks are interpreted as suggesting that the expelled diplomat was involved in actions that threatened the interests of Israel and Jews in Sweden.

The Iranian embassy did not respond to a request for comment on this, AFP reported.

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

In June 2024, two thermos bottles filled with plastic explosives were discovered outside the Gothenburg office of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company, and in October of the same year, a 13-year-old boy fired a gun at the entrance to the company's office.

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