Munich Security Conference Scraps Invitation to Iranian Minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iran, July 12, 2025. Photo: Hamid Forootan/Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
The Munich Security Conference, one of the world’s top security forums, said on Friday it was withdrawing an invitation to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi after the Tehran government’s crackdown on protests across Iran this week.
“Several weeks ago, invitations were extended to individual government representatives from Iran. In light of current events, the Munich Security Conference will not be maintaining these invitations,” it said in an emailed statement.
This year’s gathering of security experts and policymakers takes place on Feb. 13-15. The organizers said they aimed to invite participants who could provide significant policy insights, but always considered political developments before finalizing the list.
The Berlin foreign ministry said Germany was against inviting Iranian officials given the events in Iran, where thousands have been reported killed in a crackdown on demonstrations against clerical rule.