Iran and Sweden Expel Diplomats Amid Security Accusations

The Government of Sweden expelled an official from the Iranian embassy in Stockholm on September 16, 2026, after summoning Iran's ambassador. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated the official's activities were not in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer and the Swedish Security Service alleged that Iran has conducted long-term security threats, including the recruitment of criminal gangs and minors to carry out shootings and an attempted bombing against the Israeli embassy and Elbit Systems offices in Gothenburg.

In a reciprocal move on September 18, the Government of Iran ordered a Swedish diplomat in Tehran to leave the country within 48 hours. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran rejected Sweden's security claims as baseless and unjustified, asserting the decision was the result of influence by the Zionist regime. Iranian officials further protested Sweden's alleged hosting of anti-Iranian terrorist groups.

This diplomatic rupture follows years of strained relations, including Iran's execution of a Swedish-Iranian citizen and the imprisonment of Ahmadreza Djalali on spying charges. The European Union’s External Action Service has called for both nations to resolve the dispute through dialogue and respect for diplomatic conventions.