Iran's foreign minister has decided to skip this week's World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Organizers announced the decision on Monday, stating his presence would be inappropriate given Iran's recent deadly crackdown on protesters.
Pressure Mounts on Forum Organizers
Abbas Araghchi had been scheduled to speak on Tuesday at the annual gathering of political and business leaders in the Swiss ski resort. However, rights activists urged organizers to withdraw the invitation, calling Iran's actions a "massacre" of civilians.
The World Economic Forum confirmed the decision on social media platform X. "The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos," the organization stated. "Although he was invited last fall, 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."
Unrest Grips Iran Since December
Iran has experienced significant unrest since late December. Demonstrations driven by economic grievances spread rapidly across the country. Many observers viewed these protests as one of the most serious challenges faced by Iranian leadership in recent years.
Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown. They implemented a communications blackout beginning on January 8. The protests have since largely subsided, but the aftermath continues to draw international attention.
Human Rights Group Reports Casualty Figures
Norway-based Iran Human Rights claims to have verified the deaths of 3,428 protesters allegedly killed by security forces. The group says these figures come from Iran's health and medical system, eyewitness accounts, and other independent sources.
The organization cautions that the actual death toll is likely much higher. Media outlets cannot independently verify these numbers. Iranian officials have not released any official casualty figures from the crackdown.
The decision to exclude Iran's foreign minister from Davos reflects growing international concern about the situation inside the country. It marks a significant diplomatic development as world leaders gather to discuss global economic issues.
