Iran Expels Swedish Diplomat After Sweden Ousts Iranian Official

Iran's Foreign Ministry ordered a Swedish diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours on Thursday, September 17, in direct response to Sweden's expulsion of an Iranian embassy official from Stockholm announced the previous day. Alireza Yousefi, Iran's director general for Western Europe, summoned the Swedish ambassador in Tehran to lodge a formal protest against Sweden's "destructive" policies, accusing Stockholm of hosting "anti-Iran terrorist groups and individuals" and spreading "inappropriate rhetoric about Iran." Iran's statement characterized Sweden's action as "unjustified" and in violation of international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Sweden's Foreign Ministry had announced on Wednesday that the Iranian official was being asked to leave due to activities deemed "not compatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer specified that the expulsion decision concerned Iran's alleged activities against "Jewish and Israeli interests" in Sweden, stating that Iran had conducted activities threatening Swedish security and was "making use of criminal networks" to achieve its objectives. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard framed the decision as necessary to protect Swedish citizens and interests.

Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected Sweden's claims as "baseless" and accused Stockholm of acting under Israeli influence in an attempt to disrupt normal operations of the Iranian embassy in Stockholm. The ministry stated that Sweden's action violated international law and constituted an unjustified move without proper justification. Iran announced it would adopt "necessary measures to protect its national rights and interests, including through reciprocal actions," signaling potential further escalation in the diplomatic dispute.