Davos Summit Disinvites Iran's Foreign Minister After Protest Crackdown

The World Economic Forum said Monday that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not attend this year’s summit in Davos. “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,” the Switzerland-based international advocacy NGO said in a statement on social media. The decision came a day after U.S.-based NGO United Against Nuclear Iran said it had learned Araghchi had been “quietly added to the schedule for a speaking slot.” Tehran has faced international condemnation in recent weeks after anti-government protests sparked a violent crackdown by authorities that killed more than 3,900 people, according to the AP news agency based on reports by activists. Araghchi has denounced the protestors’ actions as “ violent riots.” Hours before the Swiss forum’s announcement, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham slammed organizers for having invited Tehran’s top diplomat. “I am sure an invite to the Iranian Foreign Minister to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos will be a morale booster to the protestors who are dying in the streets to attain the liberties and freedoms Europe takes for granted — maybe not. For those in charge of these programs, what the hell are you thinking?” Graham said. He 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.” The WEF runs from Jan. 19-23; U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on Wednesday. The Munich Security Conference also said last Friday it had disinvited Iranian representatives, including Araghchi.