Sweden’s foreign ministry on Wednesday (Sep 16) said that it had expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country’s ambassador, saying that their activity was incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The move was taken as Stockholm accused Tehran of making threats against Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden.<h2>Why was Iranian embassy official expelled?</h2>Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that the embassy official was asked to leave because of “activities that are not compatible with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.” She did not provide further details over the decision but said that the move was taken “to protect our citizens and other Swedish interests.”Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said that Iran has long conducted activities that threatened security in Sweden, targeting Jewish and Israeli interests and those who oppose the Iranian regime in the country.“We know that Iran, over a long period of time, has conducted activities that threaten security in and against Sweden, targeting both individuals who oppose the Iranian regime and various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country,” Strommer told AFP. “This has, among other things, been done by making use of criminal networks.”<h2>Iran accused of ‘acts of violence’ in Sweden</h2>The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) has earlier accused Tehran of recruiting members for a criminal gang to engage in “acts of violence” against Israeli and others in Sweden – a claim Iran has refuted.Sapo spokesman Jonathan Svensson told AFP, “When it comes to what has prompted the government’s announcement today, I am not in a position to go into any details, as it concerns our intelligence work.”“We can confirm that Iran continues to engage in activities that pose security threats in and against Sweden. This includes, among other things, attempts to use proxies, such as criminal networks, to carry out attacks or acts of violence,” he said.<h2>Israeli interests under threat in Sweden?</h2>In recent years, there have been several incidents when Israeli interests were targeted in Sweden. In June 2024, Israeli military technology firm Elbit Systems was targeted when two insulated flasks packed with plastic explosives were found outside its offices in Gothenburg. The company is known for its unmanned aerial systems. Later in October, a 13-year-old boy opened fire at the entrance of an office of the same firm. In April 2025, four teenagers were sentenced to prison for recruiting the boy for carrying out the attack.In May 2025, shots were fired outside the Israeli embassy, prompting Sweden authorities to boost security around Israeli interests and Jewish community institutions.

Sweden has expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned Iran’s ambassador, in a move that has sparked fresh diplomatic tensions between Stockholm and Tehran.

Sweden’s foreign ministry on Wednesday (Sep 16) said that it had expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country’s ambassador, saying that their activity was incompatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The move was taken as Stockholm accused Tehran of making threats against Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden. Why was Iranian embassy official expelled? Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that the embassy official was asked to leave because of “activities that are not compatible with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.” She did not provide further details over the decision but said that the move was taken “to protect our citizens and other Swedish interests.” Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said that Iran has long conducted activities that threatened security in Sweden, targeting Jewish and Israeli interests and those who oppose the Iranian regime in the country. “We know that Iran, over a long period of time, has conducted activities that threaten security in and against Sweden, targeting both individuals who oppose the Iranian regime and various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country,” Strommer told AFP. “This has, among other things, been done by making use of criminal networks.” Iran accused of ‘acts of violence’ in Sweden The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) has earlier accused Tehran of recruiting members for a criminal gang to engage in “acts of violence” against Israeli and others in Sweden – a claim Iran has refuted. Sapo spokesman Jonathan Svensson told AFP, “When it comes to what has prompted the government’s announcement today, I am not in a position to go into any details, as it concerns our intelligence work.” “We can confirm that Iran continues to engage in activities that pose security threats in and against Sweden. This includes, among other things, attempts to use proxies, such as criminal networks, to carry out attacks or acts of violence,” he said. Israeli interests under threat in Sweden? In recent years, there have been several incidents when Israeli interests were targeted in Sweden. In June 2024, Israeli military technology firm Elbit Systems was targeted when two insulated flasks packed with plastic explosives were found outside its offices in Gothenburg. The company is known for its unmanned aerial systems. Later in October, a 13-year-old boy opened fire at the entrance of an office of the same firm. In April 2025, four teenagers were sentenced to prison for recruiting the boy for carrying out the attack. In May 2025, shots were fired outside the Israeli embassy, prompting Sweden authorities to boost security around Israeli interests and Jewish community institutions.

Sweden has expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned Iran’s ambassador, in a move that has sparked fresh diplomatic tensions between Stockholm and Tehran.

Sweden expels Iranian embassy official – What triggered the diplomatic shock?

Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people.

Chaab, as per Reuters, was sentenced to death for his alleged offence, i.e., being "corrupt on earth," a capital offence that in Iran carries the death penalty under the nation's strict Islamic laws.&nbsp;

"The death sentence for Habib Chaab... nicknamed Habib Asyud, the head of the Harakat al-Nidal terrorist group... was carried out today, Saturday morning," reported the judiciary's Mizan Online website.

"He was hanged," it added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inhumane-sweden-condemns-iran-for-upholding-death-sentence-of-swedish-iranian-dissident-571187">'Inhumane': Sweden condemns Iran for upholding death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident</a>

The Swedish-Iranian national, as per AFP, had been held in Iran since October 2020 after vanishing during a visit to Turkey.&nbsp;According to Iran, in 2020 its forces 'detained' the alleged Arab separatist group leader in Turkey. From there, he was taken to Tehran.

He was brought to trial by Iran in 2022, wherein he was charged with leading the Harakat al-Nidal, or Arab Struggle Movement, for the Liberation of Ahwaz. The outfit, as per reports, seeks a separate state in the oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran.

The group is also blamed for plotting and carrying out "numerous bombings and terrorist operations" including one on a military parade in 2018, in which 25 people were killed, and almost 250 were wounded.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-supreme-court-upholds-death-sentence-of-swedish-iranian-dissident-571142">Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident</a>

In March, six other members of Harakat al-Nidal were sentenced to death over attacks carried out by "orders of their European leaders,"&nbsp;reported Mizan Online.

Swedish government which had reportedly voiced its concerns over the case has reacted to it with dismay at Chaab's execution. Talking to the press, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the execution was "inhuman" and that his government had pleaded with Iran not to carry out the sentence.

"The death penalty is an inhuman and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemns its application under all circumstances," said the Swedish Foreign Minister.

Previously Iranian state television had aired a video of Chaab in which he confessed to the 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, the capital of the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

In the footage, Chaab also admitted to working with Saudi intelligence services.However, such confessions are frequently condemned by rights groups based outside of Iran as "forced", arguing they are often obtained under duress. According to rights groups including Amnesty International, every year, Iran&nbsp;executes more people than any other nation — except China —&nbsp;with those sentenced to death hanged.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people.

Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being "corrupt on earth," and allegedly leading an Arab separatist group accused of multiple attacks, including a 2018 one that killed 25 people. Chaab, as per Reuters, was sentenced to death for his alleged offence, i.e., being "corrupt on earth," a capital offence that in Iran carries the death penalty under the nation's strict Islamic laws. "The death sentence for Habib Chaab... nicknamed Habib Asyud, the head of the Harakat al-Nidal terrorist group... was carried out today, Saturday morning," reported the judiciary's Mizan Online website. "He was hanged," it added. Also read | 'Inhumane': Sweden condemns Iran for upholding death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident The Swedish-Iranian national, as per AFP, had been held in Iran since October 2020 after vanishing during a visit to Turkey. According to Iran, in 2020 its forces 'detained' the alleged Arab separatist group leader in Turkey. From there, he was taken to Tehran. He was brought to trial by Iran in 2022, wherein he was charged with leading the Harakat al-Nidal, or Arab Struggle Movement, for the Liberation of Ahwaz. The outfit, as per reports, seeks a separate state in the oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The group is also blamed for plotting and carrying out "numerous bombings and terrorist operations" including one on a military parade in 2018, in which 25 people were killed, and almost 250 were wounded. Also read | Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident In March, six other members of Harakat al-Nidal were sentenced to death over attacks carried out by "orders of their European leaders," reported Mizan Online. Swedish government which had reportedly voiced its concerns over the case has reacted to it with dismay at Chaab's execution. Talking to the press, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the execution was "inhuman" and that his government had pleaded with Iran not to carry out the sentence. "The death penalty is an inhuman and irreversible punishment and Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemns its application under all circumstances," said the Swedish Foreign Minister. Previously Iranian state television had aired a video of Chaab in which he confessed to the 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, the capital of the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In the footage, Chaab also admitted to working with Saudi intelligence services.However, such confessions are frequently condemned by rights groups based outside of Iran as "forced", arguing they are often obtained under duress. According to rights groups including Amnesty International, every year, Iran executes more people than any other nation — except China — with those sentenced to death hanged. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran hangs Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being 'corrupt on earth'

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Sweden expels Iranian embassy official – What triggered the diplomatic shock?

Iran hangs Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Farajollah Chaab for being 'corrupt on earth'