Overview
- Organizers confirmed Abbas Araghchi, invited last fall, will not attend and said Iran will not be represented at the ministerial level.
- The World Economic Forum cited the “tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran” in recent weeks as the reason for the reversal.
- United Against Nuclear Iran and other activists urged the withdrawal, with some warning of legal action if Araghchi appeared.
- U.S. lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, condemned the initial invitation, and the Munich Security Conference also disinvited Iranian officials.
- Rights groups report thousands killed in the crackdown, with verified counts near 3,400–3,900 and higher activist estimates, while Switzerland says U.S.–Iran communication channels remain open during the meeting.