Australia is expelling the Iranian ambassador to Canberra after the country’s intelligence agency found that Iran was behind at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.
Australia’s Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to two arson attacks last year, targeting a Jewish-owned restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a press conference.
“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese said.The Iranian ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other diplomatic staff have been given seven days to leave the country, Albanese said.
It’s the first time Australia has expelled a foreign ambassador since the second World War.
Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in Iran for the safety of its consular officials, and Australians in Iran have been urged to leave the country.
Albanese said Iran’s IRGC – an elite wing of the Iranian military considered instrumental in crushing dissent at home and projecting Iran’s power abroad by funding militia across the Middle East – would also be listed as a terrorist agency.
The US moved to declare it a terrorist group in 2019.
Anthony Albanese said Iran was behind 'extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression.'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Iran was behind 'extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression.'
The Iranian ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other diplomatic staff have been given seven days to leave the country, Albanese said. It’s the first time Australia has expelled a foreign ambassador since the second World War.
Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in Iran for the safety of its consular officials, and Australians in Iran have been urged to leave the country.
“I’ve said many times that the Australian people want two things: They want killing in the Middle East to stop, and they don’t want conflict in the Middle East brought here. Iran has sought to do just that,” Albanese added.
“They have sought to harm and terrify Jewish Australians and to sow hatred and division in our community,” he said.
An arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne forced congregants to flee as flames engulfed the building early on Friday morning.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as an antisemitic act, emphasizing that such violence at a place of worship is unacceptable in Australia.
Australia is grappling with a rise in antisemitic attacks. Police are investigating links to paid criminals
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the antisemitic attacks in Australia were directed by the IRGC and carried out by “a layer cake” of intermediaries.
“This was directed by the IRGC through a series of overseas cut-out facilitators to coordinators that found their way to tasking Australians,” he said.
The two attacks linked to Iran by ASIO include an arson attack in October, 2024, on the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen near Bondi Beach in Sydney, which had served Sydneysiders kosher food for more than 50 years.
The second attack was on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne last December, when two masked assailants were seen throwing liquid inside the premises before setting it alight.
Counter-terrorism investigators in Victoria have charged two men over the Adass synagogue attack. The most recent arrest was made last week.
Police allege three individuals broke into the place of worship and deliberately set it on fire.I’ve said many times that the Australian people want two things: They want killing in the Middle East to stop, and they don’t want conflict in the Middle East brought here. Iran has sought to do just that,” Albanese added.
“They have sought to harm and terrify Jewish Australians and to sow hatred and division in our community,” he said.