Sweden said Wednesday it had expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country's ambassador, accusing Tehran of making threats against Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden.
Why did Sweden expel the Iranian embassy employee?
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said Iran has long conducted activities that threaten Swedish security, targeting both regime opponents and Jewish and Israeli interests in the country. He told AFP this has been carried out partly through the use of criminal networks. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the employee was asked to leave over activities incompatible with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, without detailing them.
The Iranian embassy did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Sweden's Security Service, Sapo, has previously accused Iran of recruiting criminal gang members to commit acts of violence against Israeli and other interests, a claim Iran has denied.
Sapo spokesman Jonathan Svensson said he could not detail what prompted Wednesday's announcement, since it concerns intelligence work. He confirmed Iran continues to pose security threats in and against Sweden, including attempts to use proxies such as criminal networks to carry out attacks.
What incidents have targeted Israeli interests in Sweden?
Several incidents have targeted Israeli interests in Sweden in recent years. In June 2024, two insulated flasks packed with plastic explosives were found outside the Gothenburg offices of Elbit Systems, an Israeli military technology firm known for unmanned aerial systems.
In October 2024, a 13-year-old boy opened fire on the entrance to an Elbit Systems office. Four teenagers were sentenced to prison in April 2025 for recruiting the boy to carry out the shooting. In May 2025, gunshots were fired outside the Israeli embassy, prompting Sweden to boost security around Israeli interests and Jewish community institutions.
Malmer Stenergard said Wednesday's decision was taken to protect Swedish citizens and other Swedish interests.
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