Iran will not have ministerial representation at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, after organisers decided it would be inappropriate for the country’s top diplomat to attend in the wake of deadly crackdowns on protesters. The move marks a rare and highly symbolic rebuke at one of the world’s most influential global gatherings.
The World Economic Forum confirmed on Monday that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had been invited last year and listed as a speaker, would no longer participate in the annual meeting. In a statement posted on X, the WEF said the decision was taken following the “tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks,” adding that it would not be right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos under such circumstances.
The decision follows sustained pressure from human rights organisations and political leaders, particularly in the United States, who argued that allowing Iran’s foreign minister to appear on the Davos stage would send the wrong message at a time of widespread domestic repression. Advocacy groups warned that the forum risked legitimising violence against civilians by offering Tehran a prestigious international platform.
The US-based group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) had earlier urged WEF leadership to revoke Araghchi’s invitation after his name appeared on the speakers list. Jason Brodsky, UANI’s policy director, welcomed the move, saying the forum would otherwise have appeared to normalise severe human rights abuses. In a sharply worded post, Brodsky said welcoming Iranian officials while protesters were being killed and the internet shut down would have been morally indefensible.
The invitation also drew criticism from Washington. US Senator Lindsey Graham questioned the forum’s judgment, arguing that hosting Iran’s top diplomat amid reports of mass killings and repression would undermine the values the WEF claims to uphold. Such criticism added to mounting political pressure on the organisers to reconsider Iran’s participation.
According to the WEF website, Araghchi had been scheduled to speak on January 20 in a session titled“How can we cooperate in a more contested world?”That appearance has now been scrapped. The forum has not clarified whether any Iranian officials might attend in a reduced or unofficial capacity, leaving open questions about Tehran’s broader presence at the event.
Despite the exclusion, diplomatic activity linked to Iran is still expected to hover around Davos. Swiss authorities reiterated that Switzerland continues to act as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, a role that often becomes more visible during major international summits. Monika Schmutz Kirgz, head of the Middle East and North Africa division at Switzerland’s foreign ministry, said communication channels between the US and Iran remain open and that Switzerland stands ready to mediate if required.
We @UANI warned @wef of the risks in inviting #Iran's regime's foreign minister to Davos this year. His presence would be a slap in the face of the brave people of #Iran. We're pleased to see WEF disinvite him in response to our letter. This is the right decision. pic.twitter.com/j8IlkRHXpL
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) January 19, 2026
Her remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and renewed international scrutiny of Iran’s internal situation. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the Davos summit, and Swiss officials acknowledged that the convergence of global leaders often creates informal opportunities for behind-the-scenes diplomacy, even when official delegations are absent.
Iran’s exclusion from Davos at the ministerial level underscores how human rights concerns are increasingly shaping access to global platforms. While the World Economic Forum is primarily an economic and policy-focused gathering, the decision reflects growing pressure on international institutions to factor human rights records into their engagement with governments.
