The story: Iran has begun the trial of a Swedish employee of the European Union’s diplomatic service. Johan Floderus, who has been in detention since Apr. 2022, is charged with security-related offenses which could carry the death penalty. The EU maintains that Floderus is “innocent” and has called for his release.

The trial comes as Iran has long sought to negotiate a prisoner exchange with Sweden, where Iranian former judiciary official Hamid Nouri is facing life in prison for alleged war crimes.

The coverage: A revolutionary court in Iran kicked off Floderus’s trial on Dec. 10.

• The EU diplomat is charged with “corruption on earth,” which carries the death penalty, and acting against...