Organizers of the Munich Security Conference said they had canceled invitations to the Iranian government for this year's edition from February 13-15, following the repression of protesters, Agence France-Presse reported today.
"A few weeks ago, invitations were sent to several representatives of the Iranian government. In light of current events, the Munich Security Conference will not honor those invitations," a spokesperson for the event told AFP.
Protests over the cost of living erupted in Iran on December 28 and became one of the largest anti-regime events since the proclamation of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
The Norwegian NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) says at least 3.428 people have been killed, which are cases confirmed by IHR or independent sources. Other estimates put the number at more than 5.000 dead, or even 20.000, but the lack of internet access makes it difficult for NGOs and media to verify, Hina reports.
Earlier yesterday, a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry was asked about reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had been invited to the Munich Security Conference. "Given the bloody crackdown on protesters, we do not believe that his participation would be appropriate," he replied. "We advised against such an invitation," the spokesman said.
The Munich Security Conference is an annual event on the diplomatic calendar that regularly attracts leading world politicians.
US Vice President J.D. Vance alarmed Europeans at a conference last year by embracing the views of populist parties, accusing them of undermining democracy and freedom of expression. "I fear that freedom of expression is in retreat across Europe," he said, adding that this "worried me more" than the Russian or Chinese threat.
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