Araqchi Deplores Sweden’s Unjustifiable Approach to Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Swedish government’s decisions on dealing with Iran are neither understandable nor justifiable, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, urging Stockholm to discard threadbare rhetoric and open a new chapter.
“There was a time when relations between Iran and Sweden flourished; Iranian enterprises prized Swedish brands like Scania and Volvo, and there was plenty of travel and other engagement. But over the past decade, we have seen a regrettable shift,” Araqchi said in a post on his X account on Saturday.
“Sweden ceased non-sanctionable exports of medicines, including specialized and unique gear for children afflicted with EB. Routinely, police began standing aside as vandals attacked our Embassy in Stockholm; as recently as April 30, arsonists harmed our diplomatic premises,” he added.
“Astonishingly, Swedish authorities also decided to grant citizenship to a convicted criminal AFTER his sentencing for serious violations: an Iranian national with ties to Sweden so strong that he barely speaks some word of Swedish,” the foreign minister said.
“None of this makes any sense from Iran's perspective,” Araqchi underlined.
“Despite the seriousness of the convicted criminal's offenses he has, like other prisoners, access to medical care and facilities. So instead of walking further into a dead end, I call on my Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard to reconsider the choices that have brought us where we are today,” he added.
“I am proud of the sizable Iranian community in Sweden, which has contributed so much to both our countries and their relations. Iranian enterprises are eager to engage in lawful trade, to our mutual benefit. It is time to do away with tired rhetoric and open a new chapter,” the foreign minister stated.
