Iran: Sweden’s ‘Feminist’ Government Submits – National Review
From the Swedish governments website:
Sweden has the first feminist government in the world. This means that gender equality is central to the Governments priorities in decision-making and resource allocation. A feminist government ensures that a gender equality perspective is brought into policy-making on a broad front, both nationally and internationally. Women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives. This is a human right and a matter of democracy and justice.
And then this happened.
BBC:
The Swedish government has defended its decision to have its officials wear headscarves during a trip to Iran, saying that failing to do so would have broken the law. Trade Minister Ann Linde led a business team last week and faced criticism for wearing a headscarf, or hijab.
A prominent Iranian womens rights activist and Swedish politicians have criticised the decision.
It is ruinous to what is called a feminist foreign policy said Liberal party chief Jan Bjorklund, who said Iran oppressed women through legislation.
The Swedish government should have requested that female members of the delegation should not have been required to wear a headscarf, he said, and that if the request were not granted any trade agreements should have been signed in Sweden or a third country.
But Ms Linde told the Aftonbladet newspaper that she was not willing to break Iranian law. She said that since the only other option would be to send an all-male delegation, she was required to wear a headscarf.
UN Watch has been on this story from the beginning. In one post (take the time to take a look at the photos it includes of the Swedish delegation, clad not only in headscarves, but wearing long coats indoors) UN Watch notes how Swedens female leaders ignored the recent appeal by Iranian womens right activist Masih Alinejad who urged Europeans female politicians to stand for their own dignity and to refuse to kowtow to the compulsory Hijab while visiting Iran.
By contrast:
[In] the same week as the Swedes wore their Hijabs, Tehran hosted the world competition in womens chess, a number of young female chess champions from around the world gave up their chance to win a world prize because they refused to submit to the required Hijab and Irans discrimination against women.
And then:
Trade minister Linde, who signed multiple agreements with Iranian ministers while wearing a veil, sees no conflict between her governments human rights policy and signing trade deals with an oppressive dictatorship that tortures prisoners, persecutes gays, and is a leading executioner of minors.
Swedens foreign minister Margot Wallstrom, an unimpressive, notoriously dogmatic character with an unfortunate weakness for groupthink who (naturally!) previously served as an EU commissioner, defended her colleagues collective kowtow by drawing a comparison between their wearing the hijab on a trade mission and wearing a kippah when visiting a synagogue. Thats a comparison that fails to draw a distinction between a place of worship and a nation, a distinction, of course, that Irans theocrats deny, with, it would now seem, Wallstroms support if, perhaps, only accidentally: She has something of a track record of how shall I put this clumsiness.
So what was going on here? Partly it was simply a matter of business. Follow the money: The Swedes wanted those trade deals, and if that meant selling out Irans oppressed women, that was just too bad.
But there was something else at play too. The gesture of respect by the government team to the Iranian theocracy was also a form of virtue-signaling to people back home, a message to signify their openness to customs very alien to the traditions of their native land (although, in the light of the way that Sweden ran its immigration policy in recent years, that may change), an openness that, in the end, slammed a door in the face of freedom.
I dont want to go all Godwin on you (and the comparison is very far from exact), but here, via Vice, is a story from 1938:
[o]n 14 May 1938, the English national football [soccer] team played Germany in front of 110,000 spectators at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. It was the opening game of their tour of Europe and began with a powerful political statement.
Top-ranking Nazis such as Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess and Joseph Goebbels were in attendance for the match, though Hitler himself was not present. When the German national anthem was played before the game, Englands players raised their arms to give the Nazi Heil Hitler salute.
Then as now, sport and politics were inextricably linked. The English players had been instructed before the match that they should give the salute, with the order coming direct from the Foreign Office. It was later reported that the team initially refused, only for the British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Neville Henderson, to intervene. Using FA Secretary Stanley Rous (later FIFA President) as an intermediary, Henderson told the team to give the salute for the sake of Anglo-German relations.
Just showing respect, of course.
Read more here:
Iran: Sweden's 'Feminist' Government Submits - National Review
- Iran war live: Tehran accuses Trump of bombing wedding party and killing five people - The Independent - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US and Iran exchange attacks as lull in war appears over - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Putin Pledges Increased Strikes in Ukraine and Support for Iran - The New York Times - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump says Iran is DEAD experts point to the real sign Tehran is nearing the brink - Fox News - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US and Iran exchange fire after abrupt end to month without military action - AP News - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Iran says regretful response to US attacks has begun after state TV reports four killed at wedding in Sirik region as it happened - The Guardian - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Asian markets tumble as US-Iran fighting lifts oil and bond yields - finance.yahoo.com - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- The republic of magic: How Iran turned the unseen into an instrument of rule - Iran International - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- 'It's been hard': Sandy man speaks out on behalf of cousin facing death in Iran for protesting - KSL.com - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Peru cuts ties with Iran, accusing Tehran of escalating Mideast war - The Times of Israel - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump used to say he saw a quick end to his Iran war, but 6 months later he claims he's in no hurry - AP News - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US launches new strikes on Iran and Tehran hits back in widening conflict - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Bessent Hosts G20 Meeting; U.S. Strikes Iran for Second Time in Three Days - The New York Times - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump says latest strikes on Iran are 'justified,' warns Tehran against retaliation - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US launches new strikes on Iran and Tehran hits back in widening conflict - Yahoo - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US military says it completed latest wave of strikes on Iran - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump vows to hit Iran hard after first exchanges of fire in a month - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Car hits pro-government gathering in Iran, killing four - Reuters - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump says Iran is DEAD experts point to the real sign Tehran is nearing the brink - Yahoo - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Trump threatens further action as US and Iran exchange fire in new flare-up | US-Israel war on Iran - The Guardian - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US strikes IRGC targets in Iran in response to attacks on American forces - The Hill - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Iran war updates: Tehran says preparing list of conditions to open Hormuz - Al Jazeera - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Bessent vows Iran will have no choice as pressure campaign grinds regime into the ground - Fox News - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Iran war latest: Tehran calls Trump AI video 'laughable' - after trading first strikes with US in a month - Sky News - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- US Partners Venezuela In Massive Oil DealCould This Happen In Iran. - Forbes - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Treasury yields tick lower as U.S.-Iran war moves back into the spotlight - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Treasury yields tick lower as U.S.-Iran war moves back into the spotlight - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S. plans to sanction another bank in effort to clamp down on Iran transactions: Bessent - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S. plans to sanction another bank in effort to clamp down on Iran transactions: Bessent - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump Administration Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Trade Fire for First Time in a Month - The New York Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- World mostly shrugs off Bessents D-Day Iran sanctions threat - Fortune - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump Administration Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Trade Fire for First Time in a Month - The New York Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks - BBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks - BBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations - The Washington Post - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Bessent heads to the G20 to rally allies on Iran as tariffs strain ties - AP News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations - The Washington Post - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Bessent heads to the G20 to rally allies on Iran as tariffs strain ties - AP News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran live updates: CENTCOM says targeted Iranian forces posed 'imminent threat' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Live Updates: U.S. strikes Iran for first time in weeks as six-month war reignites over Strait of Hormuz - CBS News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Live Updates: U.S. strikes Iran for first time in weeks as six-month war reignites over Strait of Hormuz - CBS News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- US and Iran exchange fire for the first time in more than a month - Financial Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- US and Iran exchange fire for the first time in more than a month - Financial Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran war latest: US strikes targets on Strait of Hormuz in first attack for a month - Sky News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump says Iran striking Gulf neighbors was 'very good thing,' Israel would be gone without him - The Jerusalem Post - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran-US war latest: Tehran strikes US bases in Jordan after Trump hits Larak Island in first attack in weeks - The Independent - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Bitcoin barely blinks as U.S. hits Iran, sending oil higher and stocks lower - CoinDesk - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Bessent Launches Operation Economic Outcast to Isolate and Squeeze Iran - WSJ - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- The Iran War at Six Months: A Regionand Its Relationship With the U.S.Transformed - Council on Foreign Relations - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran war live: Iran targets US bases in Jordan in the first exchange of strikes in weeks - Reuters - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump's 'economic D-Day' threats become warnings for countries to sever financial ties with Iran - AP News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- 'We're facing a double whammy': America's hottest tinned fish snack is shrinking by nearly half thanks to climate change and war in Iran - Fortune - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S.' 'win' in the war has been choking off Iran's oil exports: David Roche - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S. Attacks Island in Strait of Hormuz; Iran Retaliates With Missile Fire - The New York Times - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump says Iran's Kharg is being 'blown to smithereens', but gives no details - Reuters - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- US plans to sanction another bank in effort to clamp down on Iran transactions, Bessent tells AP - AP News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Trump touts actions against Iran: Blockade unbelievable, country now a failing nation - Fox News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran's IRGC says it launched attack on two US bases in Jordan - Reuters - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Six months on, Trumps Iran excursion risks igniting crises far beyond the Middle East - CNN - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S. Treasury's Bessent faces G20 diplomacy test amid tariffs, Iran war, bond turmoil - CNBC - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Middle East Live: US strikes Iran for first time in a month as Tehran retaliates against Jordan base - France 24 - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Mapping Iran wars strikes on Gulf energy and its impact on future of oil - Al Jazeera - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- U.S. Strikes Iran in First Military Action in a Month - Time Magazine - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Iran says it targeted US forces at UAE air base with explosive drones - Anadolu Ajans - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- The U.S. Start-Up Making Low-Cost Interceptors for the Iran War - The New York Times - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Indian shares likely to open higher; caution ahead of new Iran sanctions - Reuters - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Oil prices slip over $1 as US weighs D-Day Iran sanctions; Strait of Hormuz shipping risks in focus - The Times of India - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- US-Iran war latest: Bessent promises economic D-Day ahead of expected sanctions - CNN - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran war live: Tehran warns of earthquake-like retaliation over Trumps threats - The Independent - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran official says support for new sanctions would be an 'act of war,' and other Middle East news - AP News - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- China Actively Committed to Iran Talks With Tensions Rising - Bloomberg.com - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran faces massive new triple-threat as Hormuz begins to open, cash gets tight and pols call to end the war - New York Post - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran war could last deep into 2027 as the Strait of Hormuz isn't that closed, allowing more oil out - Fortune - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- After Six Months of War, Trump Is Still Losing to Iran - The New Yorker - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran threatens military response to US sanctions - Reuters - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran Warns Gulf States Not to Join Trumps Economic War - The New York Times - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran says new sanctions threatened by 'desperate' US will fail - Reuters - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Iran official says support for new sanctions would be an act of war - Politico - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Ahead of tough new U.S. sanctions, Iran criticizes 'extraterritorial sovereignty' - CNBC - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Mike Pence warns Trump hell have to go in and finish the job in Iran - Yahoo - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]