The Swedish government has launched an inquiry into allegations that Rouzbeh Parsi, head of the Middle East program at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), has ties to an Iranian regime-backed influence network. The allegations stem from leaked documents first reported by TV4 Nyheterna, which suggest that Parsi was involved in the Iranian Experts Initiative (IEI), a network designed to enhance Tehran’s influence in Western policy and media circles.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and confirmed that the government has reached out to UI for further clarification. “The claims that have been made are very serious, and we have therefore contacted the Swedish Institute of International Affairs for more information,” she stated.
According to the leaked documents, the IEI network was directed from Tehran’s Foreign Ministry and had the former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as a key figure overseeing its operations. The initiative aimed to embed Iranian-aligned analysts in European think tanks, academic institutions, and media outlets to promote narratives favorable to the Iranian government.
Regeringen agerar efter TV4:s avslöjande om Iranexperten Rouzbeh Parsi – kräver svar från UI: https://t.co/U5ehqKqYBs pic.twitter.com/XmJWhV71m8
— Filippa Fernqvist (@tv4filippa) February 6, 2025
The documents reportedly reveal that Parsi attended meetings with Iranian diplomats closely linked to the regime’s leadership. These contacts included officials with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an entity designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. TV4’s investigation suggests that Parsi’s engagement with the IEI went beyond mere academic collaboration and involved active participation in discussions that aligned with Tehran’s strategic interests.
UI has publicly reaffirmed its confidence in Parsi, stating that his involvement in the network was intended to “understand Iranian policymaking.” However, critics argue that these explanations do not sufficiently address concerns about potential Iranian influence in Swedish foreign policy discourse.
Regeringen agerar efter TV4:s avslöjande – kräver svar från UI • Läckta dokument kopplar Rouzbeh Parsi till ett iranskt påverkansnätverk • Utrikesministern: Mycket allvarliga påståenden: https://t.co/5DwS4gM6gp pic.twitter.com/3hoccSHrTf
— TV4 Nyheterna (@Nyheterna) February 6, 2025
The Sweden Democrats have formally submitted a question to the Swedish Foreign Minister, asking for clarification on the government’s response to Iran’s influence operations through the IEI network. The party has urged authorities to investigate the full extent of Tehran’s activities in Sweden.
Responding to concerns about Iranian intelligence activities, Stenergard warned that the regime in Iran poses significant intelligence threats to Sweden. She emphasized that Sweden is taking Iran’s operations seriously and will take necessary measures based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.