Iran has summoned the Swedish ambassador in reaction to critical comments made by Sweden’s Education Minister Johan Pehrson, who labeled Iran as a “rogue state.” Iranian officials condemned these remarks as unfounded and detrimental to diplomatic relations, particularly in light of Sweden’s stance on Iranian citizens involved in espionage cases.
Iran has formally summoned Sweden’s ambassador, Mattias Otterstedt, following derogatory remarks made by Johan Pehrson, Sweden’s Minister of Education. Pehrson referred to Iran as a “rogue state” and a “sponsor of terrorism” in an interview with Expressen, provoking a strong response from Iranian officials. Shahram Qazizadeh, who leads the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s department for Western Europe, expressed Iran’s discontent during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry.
In his remarks, Qazizadeh dismissed Pehrson’s statements as “unfounded, interventionist, and a violation of international norms.” He criticized Sweden for repeatedly making baseless accusations against Iran, asserting that such rhetoric could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two countries. Pehrson’s comments stemmed from a report claiming that an Iranian student at Lund University had ties with Iran’s intelligence services, a statement that Iran vehemently denied.
Furthermore, Qazizadeh condemned Sweden’s decision to summon Iran’s ambassador concerning the case of Ahmadreza Jalali, who was convicted of espionage linked to Israeli actions. He stressed that Iranian judicial processes should not be subject to scrutiny by foreign governments, asserting that, “The Swedish government is in no position to challenge the legal decisions of another country.” This situation highlights the escalating tensions between Iran and Sweden amid ongoing diplomatic challenges.
The diplomatic tension between Iran and Sweden signifies deteriorating relations, particularly due to inflammatory remarks made by Swedish officials regarding Iran’s governance. Iran’s staunch defense of its judicial processes and sovereignty underscores its commitment to maintaining its national image amidst accusations from foreign nations. The situation remains delicate as both nations grapple with differing perspectives on legal and diplomatic issues.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
