<p>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.</p><h2><strong>Why was Iranian embassy official expelled?</strong></h2><p>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.”</p><p>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.</p><p>“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.”</p><h2><strong>Iran accused of ‘acts of violence’ in Sweden</strong></h2><p>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.</p><p>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.”</p><p>“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.</p><h2><strong>Israeli interests under threat in Sweden?</strong></h2><p>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.</p><p>In May 2025, shots were fired outside the Israeli embassy, prompting Sweden authorities to boost security around Israeli interests and Jewish community institutions.</p>

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.

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>As Iranian missiles cut across the Strait of Hormuz and US airstrikes hit targets near Tehran, another battleground has emerged online, on the social media accounts of Iran’s diplomatic missions. Since coordinated military action by the United States and Israel started on February 28, Iranian embassies from Pretoria to Kabul and even the consulate in Hyderabad have adopted an unusual communication strategy. Their posts blend sarcasm, internet humour, and pop-culture references to respond to unfolding events.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On Monday, after US President Donald Trump claimed he had engaged in talks with Iran over two days to ease tensions, Iran’s embassy in Kabul was quick to counter. In a sharply worded message titled “Trump’s Retreat After Iran’s Firm Warning,” the embassy dismissed his statement, suggesting he had stepped back after being warned about potential retaliation targeting regional energy infrastructure.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-only-the-language-of-missiles-iran-hits-back-hard-at-donald-trump-1774282982176"><strong>'Only the language of missiles': Iran hits back hard at Donald Trump</strong></a></p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fa" dir="rtl">عقب‌نشینی ترامپ پس از هشدار قاطع ایران<br><br>پس از آن‌که جمهوری اسلامی تهدید کرد که در صورت هرگونه حمله آمریکا به زیرساخت‌های انرژی ایران، زیرساخت‌های انرژی کل منطقه را هدف قرار می‌دهد، ترامپ عقب نشست و گفت که دستور تعویق حمله را صادر کرده است. <a href="https://t.co/3Jcl3k5YDN">pic.twitter.com/3Jcl3k5YDN</a></p>&mdash; Embassy of the I.R. Iran in Kabul, Afghanistan (@IRANinKabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinKabul/status/2036042678182580687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Earlier, Trump had warned that the US might strike Iran’s energy facilities if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz for global oil transport. The Kabul response reflected a broader pattern among Iranian missions. The Iranian consulate in Hyderabad also rejected claims of negotiations, sharing a state TV clip and accusing Trump of making false statements to distract from threats against Iran’s power grid.</p><h3><strong>Strait of Hormuz posts stir controversy</strong></h3><p>Iran’s embassy in Pretoria took a more provocative route, posting an image depicting the Strait of Hormuz filled with coffins draped in American flags. The caption implied that such coffins would be the only “American presence” allowed through the waterway. The post drew criticism from groups like the SA Jewish Report, which condemned it as a deliberate and disturbing message rather than satire. Despite the backlash, South Africa’s government, led by the African National Congress, did not issue an official response and has continued to maintain close ties with Iran. Notably, South Africa has also taken Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">😁😁 <a href="https://t.co/6RFFNwaOev">https://t.co/6RFFNwaOev</a></p>&mdash; Iran Embassy SA (@IraninSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IraninSA/status/2035967594314752485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3><strong>Thai crew meme sparks backlash</strong></h3><p>Earlier controversy arose when the Pretoria mission posted a meme referencing a Thai cargo ship hit by Iranian missiles. The image showed a crew member fleeing a damaged vessel with a caption likening the situation to a child afraid to face a parent after a mistake. The incident involved a Thai-flagged ship whose crew had to abandon it after an attack, later rescued by Oman’s navy. The post angered Thai citizens, prompting diplomatic protest from Thailand. The embassy later deleted the post and issued a clarification, stating it was not intended to offend but to warn vessels about entering the Strait without coordination.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The history of the entity is less than the age of trees inside Iran&#39;s Consulate in Hyderabad.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> <a href="https://t.co/fn4euDci0D">https://t.co/fn4euDci0D</a> <a href="https://t.co/GvQm3BBfv9">pic.twitter.com/GvQm3BBfv9</a></p>&mdash; Iran Consulate - Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) <a href="https://twitter.com/IraninHyderabad/status/2035724350847152175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3><strong>Sharp words for Ukraine’s president</strong></h3><p>Tensions also spilled into exchanges with Ukraine. After President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a Nowruz message criticizing Iran’s leadership and linking it to Russia, Iran’s South Africa embassy responded harshly, calling for Ukrainians and Americans to be freed from “clowns and fools.” The embassy further amplified online mockery by sharing memes, including references to <i>Tom and Jerry</i>, ridiculing US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through military force.</p>

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<h3><strong>India Mission targets Israel</strong></h3><p>Meanwhile, Iran’s consulate in Hyderabad also reacted to remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had called for Iran to be eliminated. In response, the consulate mocked Israel’s legitimacy, suggesting even the trees on its premises predated the country itself.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> <i>WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.</i></p>

Missiles outside, memes inside: Here's how Iran embassies are roasting US online and winning the internet war

As Iranian missiles cut across the Strait of Hormuz and US airstrikes hit targets near Tehran, another battleground has emerged online, on the social media accounts of Iran’s diplomatic missions. Since coordinated military action by the United States and Israel started on February 28, Iranian embassies from Pretoria to Kabul and even the consulate in Hyderabad have adopted an unusual communication strategy. Their posts blend sarcasm, internet humour, and pop-culture references to respond to unfolding events. On Monday, after US President Donald Trump claimed he had engaged in talks with Iran over two days to ease tensions, Iran’s embassy in Kabul was quick to counter. In a sharply worded message titled “Trump’s Retreat After Iran’s Firm Warning,” the embassy dismissed his statement, suggesting he had stepped back after being warned about potential retaliation targeting regional energy infrastructure. Also Read: 'Only the language of missiles': Iran hits back hard at Donald Trump

<p>Iran’s embassies are using memes, sarcasm, and sharp rhetoric online to counter US and Israeli actions, sparking diplomatic backlash globally</p>

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

Missiles outside, memes inside: Here's how Iran embassies are roasting US online