The World Economic Forum disinvited the Iranian foreign minister from the upcoming Davos conference, citing the loss of civilian lives in Iran since the regime enforced a violent crackdown on protests in the country.
“The tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,” the forum confirmed, noting that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was invited long before the protests broke out.
The Islamic regime has admitted that thousands were killed and arrested as Tehran cracked down on any signs of dissent after protests broke out in response to the country’s economic decline. Human rights groups and dissident media have reported the use of torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings against those demonstrating.
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, had earlier warned Aragchi that his attendance would be met with a criminal complaint to Swiss prosecutors over his role in the regime’s massacres of Iranian civilian protesters.
“In wake of our plan to file a criminal complaint for Swiss authorities to arrest him for crimes against humanity, given his role in the regime murdering protesters, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will NOT be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this week,” Neuer announced on X/Twitter.
Prior to Aragchi’s disinvitation, the non-partisan policy organization United Against Nuclear Iran claimed to have received word that Araghchi had been “quietly added” to the Davos schedule for a speaking slot.
“The message [the] WEF is sending: You can shoot Iranians in the eyes and genitals, murder thousands of them, and shut off the internet for your people but still be welcomed in Davos that same month,” UANI published. “[The] WEF’s theme this year is ‘A Spirit of Dialogue.’ Instead of dialogue, the Islamic Republic offered bullets to these brave Iranians.”
The organization confirmed it had complained to WEF president and CEO Borge Brende over Araghchi’s planned attendance and prominent role in the event.
US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also condemned Araghchi’s earlier invitation, writing sarcastically that his attendance “will be a morale booster to the protesters who are dying in the streets to attain the liberties and freedoms Europe takes for granted.”
“European elites have lost their moral compass. This is the strongest sign yet of moral decay when it comes to people who enjoy freedom and abandoning those who are struggling for it,” Graham added. “Inviting the Iranian foreign minister to speak now would be akin to inviting Hitler to a world event after Kristallnacht. This decision gives ‘tone deaf’ a new meaning.”
Thousands of delegates from 130 countries due to attend Davos
The WEF has said that over 3,000 delegates from more than 130 countries will attend this year, including 64 heads of state and government, particularly from emerging economies.
US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the annual conference, and important diplomatic discussions are anticipated. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, will hold meetings with members of the US delegation, two sources with knowledge of the visit told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Reuters contributed to this report.