The World Economic Forum (WEF) retracted its invitation to Iran’s foreign minister for the upcoming Davos summit in Switzerland, responding to calls from an advocacy group to exclude officials from the Iranian regime amid widespread anti-government protests resulting in numerous deaths.
The WEF announced via a post on the social media platform X that Abbas Araghchi would no longer be attending the five-day summit.
“While he was initially invited last fall, the recent tragic civilian casualties in Iran have led us to conclude that Iranian government representation at Davos this year is inappropriate,” stated the organization.
This decision follows a plea from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an advocacy group, which addressed WEF President Børge Brende in a letter on Friday. The group urged him to withdraw the invitation and prevent Iranian regime officials from participating due to the severe crackdown on civilians.
In a statement to Fox News Digital following the withdrawal of Araghchi’s invitation, UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace expressed approval, saying, “UANI applauds the World Economic Forum for rescinding the invitation of Iran’s Foreign Minister. Given their crimes against their own people and ongoing support for terrorism, Iranian regime representatives should not be given a platform at international events.”
UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace welcomed the decision, telling Fox News Digital in a statement after Araghchi’s invitation was withdrawn: “UANI commends the World Economic Forum for revoking the invitation of Iran’s Foreign Minister from this year’s gathering in Davos. Iranian regime representatives should not be platformed at international events given their crimes against the Iranian people and their long history of supporting terrorism.”
Iran is currently facing nationwide anti-government protests that have drawn a violent response from security forces and placed growing pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which tracks human rights violations in Iran, said on Sunday that nationwide protests continued into the 22nd day as President Donald Trump weighs possible U.S. military action.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference after signing an Egypt-backed agreement to resume nuclear inspections in Cairo on Sept. 9, 2025. (Sayed Hassan/Getty)
The group’s aggregated figures showed 624 recorded protests, the arrest of at least 24,669 people and the confirmed deaths of 3,919 individuals.
HRANA said 3,685 of those killed were protesters, including 25 children under the age of 18.
Nearly 9,000 deaths remain under investigation.
White House press secretary Karoline Levitt said at a press briefing last week that the Trump administration was closely watching the situation in Iran.
“All options remain on the table for the president,” she told reporters.
