Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador Over Antisemitic Attack Links

Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador from Canberra after its spy agency revealed Tehran was behind two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incidents “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression.”

Iran’s Direct Role Exposed

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to two arson attacks last year. One targeted a Jewish-owned restaurant in Sydney, while the other struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. (Reuters)

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese said at a press conference.

Historic Diplomatic Step

Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other Iranian diplomats have been ordered to leave within seven days. This marks the first time since World War II that Australia’s political history records the expulsion of a foreign ambassador.

Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and urged Australians in Iran to leave immediately for their safety.

IRGC to Be Declared Terrorist Group

Albanese announced that the IRGC would be officially listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia, following the United States which did the same in 2019. (BBC)

“Iran has sought to harm and terrify Jewish Australians and to sow hatred and division in our community,” Albanese said.

How the Attacks Happened

ASIO chief Mike Burgess revealed the IRGC used multiple intermediaries to carry out the operations. “This was directed by the IRGC through a series of overseas cut-out facilitators to coordinators that found their way to tasking Australians,” he explained.

The two confirmed incidents were an arson attack in October 2024 at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen near Bondi Beach, and the December attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. Counter-terrorism investigators have since charged two men in connection with the synagogue attack.

Growing Wave of Antisemitism

Attacks on Jewish communities in Australia have increased since the Israel–Hamas war began in October 2023. Burgess said ASIO is still probing other incidents possibly linked to Iran but noted that “not every act of antisemitism” in Australia is tied to Tehran. (The Guardian)

Political and International Fallout

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called Iran’s actions an “extraordinary attack” that harmed Australia directly. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians in Iran to leave immediately, warning that consular support is now “extremely limited.”

In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and “ridiculous.” The Iranian embassy in Canberra has not commented.

Sources