Iran condemns Sweden over support for executed “Israeli spy”

Iran has sharply criticised Sweden following the execution of a Swedish citizen accused of spying for Israel.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard held a phone call with Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral and consular matters.

During the conversation, the Iranian minister condemned the Swedish government’s support for the executed individual, described as having conducted “espionage on behalf of the Zionist regime.” Tehran emphasised that the Islamic Republic will not compromise on issues of national security.

On March 18, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard confirmed that the executed individual was a Swedish citizen, identified by Iranian authorities as Kouroush Keyvani.

Keyvani was reportedly arrested during a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June of the previous year. Since his detention, Sweden has repeatedly raised the matter with Iranian officials at multiple diplomatic levels, according to Stenergard. Iran’s judiciary, via its Mizan Online platform, stated that Keyvani was convicted of spying for Israel.

By Vugar Khalilov