Munich Security Conference disinvites Iranian officials

""Several weeks ago an invitation was extended to several representatives of the Iranian government," a spokesman for the event told AFP in a statement. "In light of current events the Munich Security Conference will not honour these invitations," he said. Protests linked to the cost of living broke out in Iran on December 28, spiralling into one of the largest protest movements against the clerical leadership since the Islamic republic was founded in 1979."

"In recent days, accounts have poured in of the violence suffered by protesters at the hands of security forces. Earlier on Friday, a German foreign ministry spokesman was asked about reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been invited to the Munich event. "Given the bloody repression of the protests we don't think his participation would be appropriate," the spokesman said. "We have advised against this invitation and have underlined this," he added."

Organisers of the Munich Security Conference rescinded invitations to representatives of the Iranian government following a violent crackdown on widespread protests. Invitations had been extended several weeks earlier but were withdrawn in response to current events and reports of repression. Protests linked to the cost of living began on December 28 and escalated into one of the largest movements against clerical leadership since 1979, with accounts of violence by security forces. A German foreign ministry spokesman deemed participation by Iran's foreign minister inappropriate and advised against the invitation. The Munich Security Conference regularly attracts senior political and industry figures.

Read at The Local Germany