The Munich Security Conference has withdrawn its invitations to representatives of the Iranian regime, after Euractiv made public their planned attendance.
An MSC spokesperson told the news outlet Iran International that the invitations had been issued weeks ago and were now being revoked “in light of recent developments.”
The phrase refers to the violent crackdown on protests in Iran: Iranian militias led by the Revolutionary Guards are alleged to have killed up to 20,000 people.
Euractiv’s Rapporteur reported on Thursday that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his deputy had received invitations and confirmed their attendance at the MSC. Both regime officials were still listed as invited guests as of Thursday.
The German government also distanced itself from the invitation extended to Araghchi on Friday. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry stated that they considered his participation inappropriate in light of the bloody crackdown on protests.
There is no change regarding US participants, as Euractiv has learned: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard remains the highest-ranking member of the US government to have confirmed her attendance at the conference next month in Munich.