Sweden Expels Iranian Embassy Official, Summons Ambassador

On 16 September 2026 Sweden's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador and ordered an Iranian embassy employee to leave. The government said the activities were incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told AFP the step followed systematic hostile activities by Iran on Swedish territory targeting regime opponents and Jewish and Israeli interests, done in part by making use of criminal networks. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the employee was expelled over activities not compatible with the convention, to protect citizens and other Swedish interests. SÄPO spokesman Jonathan Svensson confirmed Iran continues activities that pose security threats in and against Sweden, including attempts to use proxies such as criminal networks for attacks or violence, but said he could not detail the intelligence behind the announcement. Coverage cited prior incidents: June 2024 explosives outside Elbit Systems offices in Gothenburg; an October 2024 shooting there by a 13-year-old; April 2025 prison terms for four teenagers who recruited him; and May 2025 gunshots outside the Israeli embassy. Iran has previously denied recruiting criminal gang members for attacks. The Iranian embassy did not immediately respond to AFP. Officials did not disclose the specific intelligence that prompted this expulsion.