Burak Bir
January 19, 2026•Update: January 19, 2026
LONDON
The World Economic Forum (WEF) said Monday that it had canceled an invitation to the annual event to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, citing the recent crackdown on protests across the country.
"The Iranian Foreign Minister will not be attending Davos," the WEF said on US social media company X.
The annual WEF meeting is taking place on Jan. 19–23 in the Swiss town of Davos under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue" to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Forum added: "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."
Anti-government protests over the deteriorating economic situation and a record depreciation of the national currency broke out in Tehran late last month and gradually spread to other cities across Iran.
On Jan. 8, the protests took a violent turn after the US-based son of the late shah of Iran urged people to take to the streets in protest against the government.
Amid fierce street clashes between protesters and security personnel, hundreds of casualties were reported, especially in the western provinces.
Police said the peaceful protests were “hijacked by rioters,” who, they claim, were supported by the US and Israeli intelligence agencies.
