Monday, 19 January, 2026
London, UK
Monday, January 19, 2026 7:12 PM
light rain 9.9°C
Condition: Light rain
Humidity: 88%
Wind Speed: 14.8 km/h

Davos disinvites Iran’s top diplomat after bloody crackdown on protests

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.

LP Staff Writers

Writers at Lord’s Press come from a range of professional backgrounds, including history, diplomacy, heraldry, and public administration. Many publish anonymously or under initials—a practice that reflects the publication’s long-standing emphasis on discretion and editorial objectivity. While they bring expertise in European nobility, protocol, and archival research, their role is not to opine, but to document. Their focus remains on accuracy, historical integrity, and the preservation of events and individuals whose significance might otherwise go unrecorded.

Categories

Follow

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to receive your complimentary login credentials and unlock full access to all features and stories from Lord’s Press.

    As a journal of record, Lord’s Press remains freely accessible—thanks to the enduring support of our distinguished partners and patrons. Subscribing ensures uninterrupted access to our archives, special reports, and exclusive notices.

    LP is free thanks to our Sponsors

    Privacy Overview

    Privacy & Cookie Notice

    This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to help us understand how our content is accessed and used. Cookies are small text files stored in your browser that allow us to recognise your device upon return, retain your preferences, and gather anonymised usage statistics to improve site performance.

    Under EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process this data based on your consent. You will be prompted to accept or customise your cookie preferences when you first visit our site.

    You may adjust or withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings link in the website footer. For more information on how we handle your data, please refer to our full Privacy Policy