Swedish Foreign Ministry (UD) officials reportedly attended celebrations at the Iranian embassy in Stockholm marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, according to Swedish media reports. The attendance has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians who question the appropriateness of the move given Sweden's public condemnation of Iran's human rights record.
Social Democratic foreign policy spokesperson Morgan Johansson called the officials' presence "deeply inappropriate" and "deeply offensive," demanding an explanation from Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. "I don't understand at all how the Swedish government has thought when they've done this," Johansson told TV4 Nyheterna.
I don't understand at all how the Swedish government has thought when they've done this
The Foreign Ministry confirmed to TV4 that "a smaller number of officials from UD were present" at the celebration at the Iranian embassy. In a statement, the ministry defended maintaining diplomatic relations with countries like Iran despite political differences, saying it allows Sweden to protect Swedish interests and handle important consular cases.
This development comes as the Swedish government has recently condemned the Iranian regime for increased threats against exiles and executions in the country. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard declined to comment on the embassy attendance when approached by TV4 Nyheterna.
deeply inappropriate and deeply offensive
a smaller number of officials from UD were present