Iran Summons Swedish Ambassador Over Controversial Remarks by Minister

Iran summoned the Swedish ambassador over statements made by Minister Johan Pehrson, labeling Iran a “rogue state” and a “sponsor of terrorism.” Iranian officials condemned these remarks as baseless and warned of the potential strain on diplomatic relations. Pehrson’s comments were triggered by allegations regarding an Iranian student, which Iran denied as part of a Western smear campaign. Additionally, Iranian officials criticized Sweden for intervening in its judicial matters involving Ahmadreza Jalali, emphasizing legal sovereignty.

TEHRAN – In a diplomatic move, Iran has summoned the Swedish ambassador to Tehran, Mattias Otterstedt, in response to remarks made by Sweden’s Minister of Education, Johan Pehrson. The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Shahram Qazizadeh expressed formal protest against Pehrson’s labeling of Iran as a “rogue state” and a “sponsor of terrorism” during an interview with the Swedish daily, Expressen.

Qazizadeh characterized Pehrson’s statements as “unfounded, interventionist, and a violation of international norms.” He criticized Sweden for its ongoing pattern of unsubstantiated accusations and hostile rhetoric toward Iran, stating such comments could exacerbate tensions in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Pehrson’s comments were provoked by an Expressen report suggesting an Iranian student at Lund University had connections to Iran’s intelligence services. Iran vehemently denied these assertions, asserting they form part of a larger campaign by the West to undermine its image and obstruct academic and scientific collaborations.

Furthermore, Qazizadeh condemned Sweden’s recent action in summoning Iran’s ambassador to Stockholm regarding the case of Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-born Swedish resident convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad. He underscored that Sweden possesses no authority to interfere in Iran’s legal processes or question its judicial decisions.

Qazizadeh emphasized, “The Swedish government is in no position to challenge the legal decisions of another country or advocate for individuals whose crimes have been established through due process.”

The recent summoning of Sweden’s ambassador by Iran highlights the heightening diplomatic tensions following controversial remarks from Swedish Minister Johan Pehrson. These exchanges reflect ongoing criticism and accusations between the two nations, particularly regarding issues of terrorism and judicial sovereignty. Iran’s firm stance against external interference in its legal matters emphasizes its commitment to asserting its rights in diplomatic interactions.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com