Sweden Postpones Sending New Ambassador to Iran due to Koran Burning Incident
The process of sending a new ambassador to Sweden has been postponed by the Iranian government following the desecration of the Holy Quran, according to Iranian official Hossein Amirabdollahian. In a tweet on Sunday, Amirabdollahian stated that although administrative procedures for appointing a new ambassador had been completed, the Swedish government’s permit for the Koran burning had led to the delay.
The Koran burning incident took place outside Stockholm’s mosque and has sparked outrage both within Sweden and internationally. The burning of the holy text has been condemned by many countries, particularly in the Middle East. Kuwait, Morocco, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates have all summoned Sweden’s ambassador in protest.
Sweden’s relationship with Iran has been strained in recent times. The execution of Swedish-Iranian citizen Habib Chaab in Iran in May and the subsequent sentencing of Iranian citizen Hamid Noury by the Swedish court have contributed to the coldness in the bilateral ties.
Noury was convicted last year of murder and violations of international law relating to the execution of political prisoners in Iran in 1988. Iran strongly criticized the Swedish court’s decision and condemned the sentencing. These events have further exacerbated the tensions between the two nations.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided any information regarding the duration of the ambassadorial delay. It remains uncertain when Hojatullah Faghani will be able to replace Ahmad Masoumifar as the country’s ambassador to Sweden. Masoumifar assumed the position in 2020.
In response to the Koran burning incident, protests have erupted in various locations. Demonstrators gathered in front of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on both Thursday and Friday to express their discontent with the incident.
As the situation unfolds, both Sweden and Iran will need to navigate their diplomatic relationship carefully to repair the damage and restore mutual trust. The international community will be closely watching the actions and responses of both countries, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a renewed focus on dialogue and understanding.