Iranian ambassador’s Hezbollah post sparks outrage in Austria
The Iranian ambassador to Austria, Abbas Bagherpour Ardekani, has ignited a political firestorm with a social media post that has drawn condemnation and calls for diplomatic response.
The Iranian ambassador to Austria, Abbas Bagherpour Ardekani, has ignited a political firestorm with a social media post that has drawn condemnation and calls for diplomatic response.
The post on X displayed the flag of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group listed as terrorist by the United States, was accompanied by the statement, "Hezbollah will be victorious."
His act has sparked outrage across Austria, as the display of Hezbollah symbols is explicitly banned in the country.
The timing of Ardekani’s post could not have been more incendiary, coming shortly after Hezbollah's intensified rocket and drone attacks on Israel. Hezbollah, recognized as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including Austria since May 2021, is notorious for its stance against Israel. The ambassador’s actions are seen as a direct violation of Austrian law.
Austrian politicians were swift in their response. Leaders from the Greens and the SPÖ expressed their fury and demanded immediate action from the foreign ministry. Green Party leader Sigrid Maurer called for the ambassador's recall, urging the ministry to "send a clear signal against terror." SPÖ deputy leader Eva-Maria Holzleitner echoed the sentiments, condemning the ambassador's disregard for Austrian law and the safety of Israel.
The Iranian embassy remained silent as the post stayed online for an extended period, further fueling the outcry. The Austrian ministry of foreign affairs eventually confirmed on August 27 that the ambassador had been summoned and was reminded of his obligation to adhere to the laws of the host country as stipulated by the Vienna Convention.
Complicating the situation is the potential clash between Austrian law and the ambassador’s diplomatic immunity, which could shield him from prosecution. Under Austrian law, Ardekani could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros or a one-month prison sentence for his post. Yet, diplomatic immunity might prevent such penalties, leaving Austria with limited recourse.
This incident is not an isolated case but rather part of a disturbing pattern of behavior by Iranian diplomats. Earlier, Ahmad Sadeghi, the Iranian ambassador to Australia, sparked outrage with an anti-Semitic post predicting the "destruction of Israel by 2027."
"It's extremely dangerous and disturbing to hear that sort of rhetoric, especially at a time when the Jewish community feels so vulnerable and threatened," Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry told Iran International on Monday.
Ryvchin highlighted the Iranian government's long-standing strategy of dehumanizing Jews and inciting violence against them worldwide by labeling Jews and the state of Israel as a "cancer to be eradicated." He expressed grave concern over the Australian Government's "inadequate" response to this dangerous rhetoric, noting that Iran’s ambassador, despite his inflammatory statements, continues to operate freely in Canberra.
“Let us not place our hopes in the enemy, nor should we await their approval for our plans. This does not preclude engaging with them when necessary—there’s no harm. However, do not rely on them, and trust in the enemy is misplaced," Khamenei said on Tuesday.
In his first meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet, Khamenei fueled speculation of a possible shift toward a softer foreign policy, though not without his trademark dose of skepticism.
"No plan is without its challenges," he remarked. "For some, the instinctive response to obstacles is a retreat, but this is a flawed approach. Instead, one must either overcome the hurdle or find a way to circumvent it. While there may be times when a tactical retreat becomes necessary after all avenues have been explored, it is crucial not to abandon one's position or resolve at the first sign of difficulty," Khamenei added.
Since Masoud Pezeshkian's election, murmurs of dialogue with the West have grown, signaling a potential shift toward negotiations on nuclear issues. While Tehran's rhetoric fluctuates, it remains steadfast on red lines like terrorism sponsorship. How they intend to lift crippling sanctions while maintaining these positions is yet to be seen.
Two weeks ago, Khamenei had adopted a more aggressive yet still ambiguous tone. He condemned the "enemy’s psychological warfare" intended to dissuade Iran and warned that any retreat—whether military, political, or economic—that lacks “tactical prudence” would invite "divine wrath," as cautioned in the Holy Quran.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Khamenei also confirmed he had vetted the ministers well before their parliamentary approval.
"The President sought my counsel in selecting the ministers. I endorsed several, emphasized the importance of others, and remained neutral on many whom I was unfamiliar with," Khamenei said on Tuesday.
Last week, in his final address before the cabinet vote, Pezeshkian revealed that Khamenei approved every minister and personally persuaded at least one hesitant candidate to step up.
In the first meeting of the new cabinet, Khamenei confirmed the claim but with a nuanced twist, noting that while he had reviewed the list, he was unfamiliar with many of the nominees—this subtle remark left room for future maneuvering, a hallmark of Khamenei’s strategic ambiguity.
Historically, it has been understood that Khamenei plays a decisive role in selecting key ministers—specifically those of Intelligence, Interior, Defense, and Foreign Affairs. Yet, no sitting president had previously admitted to such direct pre-approval.
Pezeshkian’s openness, paired with Khamenei’s carefully measured response, has led to renewed scrutiny of the system's democratic pretensions. Some reformist observers speculate that Pezeshkian might be laying the groundwork to shift blame to Khamenei if his administration falters. However, Khamenei has never shied away from disowning those he's endorsed—most notably former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whom Khamenei staunchly defended in the face of the 2009 protests, despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
A recent report from the Tehran-based pro-reform newspaper Ham-Mihan revealed that Afghans must now purchase an expensive smart card to stay in Iran—a card that costs one billion rials (nearly $1,700).
This requirement comes at a time when Afghan immigration has surged, with estimates suggesting that up to 10,000 Afghans enter Iran daily, swelling the Afghan population in the country to as high as 10 million, or more than 10% of the population.
A backlash against Afghans has intensified on social media, with many Iranians complaining about the economic and social cost of hosting so many migrants amid Iran's own economic crisis, dwindling public services and joblessness.
Ham-Mihan quoted Arefeh, an Afghan woman who moved to Iran six years ago with her husband, describing the ordeal they faced when attempting to renew their Afghan passports. "We were told we needed to purchase a smart card to stay in Iran," Arefeh recounted. "The smart card, however, costs one billion rials." This card is now mandatory for the head of the family and any male child over 18 to remain and work in Iran. According to the report, authorities no longer accept census papers, passports, or residency cards, making the smart card the only option for legal residency.
This policy, adopted in June of last year, is widely seen as a money-making scheme by the Iranian government. Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs, the smart cards have become part of what some are calling the "One billion rial investment plan," a label that underscores the financial burden on Afghan migrants. With millions of Afghans in the country, if the government collects this fee solely from the head of each family, Iran stands to rake in billions of dollars through this scheme, exploiting one of the world's most vulnerable populations for financial gain.
The timing of this new policy coincides with a marked increase in the deportation of Afghan migrants, which has intensified this summer. In mid-August, the governor of Shahriar County in Tehran Province announced a "swift operation to round up illegal migrants," targeting undocumented Afghans. Local official Alireza Fatehi-Nejad emphasized the challenges posed by undocumented Afghans, citing legal issues and the strain on public resources.
This operation, coordinated by multiple government agencies, has led to the forced repatriation of many Afghans. However, reports indicate that despite being deported, many Afghans return to Iran due to the dire conditions in Afghanistan and the fact that their families remain in the country. This cycle of deportation and return highlights the persistent challenges Afghan migrants face in Iran.
Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s new Interior Minister, said Monday that “One of my main priorities… is the issue of foreign nationals. We will present a bill for the establishment of the National Migration Organization to the Parliament…, and we will begin the work.”
In response to a question regarding the Border Guard Commander announcing that undocumented foreign nationals must leave Iran by March 2025, Momeni said “This matter is also in progress, and we are following up on it.”
The situation has sparked outrage among activists and intellectuals within Iran. In October, over 540 artists, lawyers, doctors, journalists, and civil society activists called for an end to the "mistreatment" of Afghan migrants. The deportation of over 20,000 Afghan children, many of whom were unaccompanied, has further fueled criticism.
There are no precise figures on the number of Afghans living in Iran, but estimates range between 5 to 8 million, with some suggesting the number could be as high as 15 million, raising questions about the government's motives. Critics accuse the Islamic Republic of pursuing an "open border" policy, allowing thousands of Afghans to enter illegally each day. This influx has led to widespread speculation about the government's hidden agenda.
Many Iranians believe the Islamic Republic actively encourages mass Afghan migration for several reasons. Some argue that as a large segment of the population has distanced itself from religion, the authorities are trying to alter the country's demographic makeup, so that the clerical rulers can tighten their grip on power.
A user on X shared a photo of Afghans climbing over a wall at the Iranian border, commenting that despite spending three billion euros on building and completing this wall to stop Afghan entry, the border closure now feels like a joke.
Others suggest that the government views the Afghan population as a strategic asset. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has long sought to increase the population in line with Shia ideology, but economic hardships and lifestyle choices have led many Iranians to forgo having large families. In this context, the presence of Afghans serves Khamenei's goal of population growth.
Moreover, Afghans, often desperate for work, are seen as prime recruits for the IRGC’s overseas operations in Syria and Lebanon. By fostering resentment towards Afghan migrants, the government deflects public anger away from itself and towards a scapegoat, further entrenching its power.
