The Munich Security Conference, one of the world’s top security forums, announced on Friday (January 16th) that it has decided to withdraw its invitation to Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, in light of the Iranian government’s crackdown on protests across the country this week.
In an email statement, the conference said: “Several weeks ago, we extended invitations to individual representatives of the Iranian government. In light of the events currently unfolding, the Munich Security Conference has decided to rescind those invitations.”
The Munich Security Conference, held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany since 1963, is the largest international security policy annual event globally. The 62nd conference is scheduled to take place from February 13th to 15th this year.
The German Foreign Ministry expressed opposition to inviting Iranian officials in the current situation. Reports indicate that thousands of people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on protests against the clerical regime. This marks the third consecutive year that the Iranian government has been excluded from the Munich Security Conference. In both 2023 and 2025, the conference refused to invite Iranian official representatives due to human rights issues, opting instead to invite opposition figures.
Just a day before the withdrawal announcement was made on Thursday, Euractiv reported that Araqchi and his deputy had confirmed their attendance at the conference. This news sparked a public outcry in Germany. Philipp Fabian, a political commentator for BILD, condemned the decision, saying: “Recently, Iran’s clerical regime has killed thousands of people demanding an end to Islamic law (sharia) dictatorship. Apparently, this has not been reason enough for the Munich Security Conference to rescind the invitation!”
He further pointed out that the Iranian regime cut off the internet five days ago to carry out the slaughter in secrecy.
As the situation in Iran deteriorates, the European Union is discussing a series of harsh sanctions, including the possibility of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and expelling all Iranian ambassadors from the EU.
Additionally, the participation of the United States is also closely watched in Western diplomatic circles. Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources, that Vice President Pence will not be attending this year’s Munich Security Conference.