Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Iran of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney, announcing the expulsion of Tehran’s ambassador in response.
Albanese said Australian intelligence had linked Iran to arson attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food company in Sydney last October, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne in December.
“ASIO has gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion,” said Albanese, referring to the domestic spy agency. “The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks.”
He described the incidents as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” adding, as quoted by AP, that they were intended to “undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable.”
Shortly before the announcement, the government informed Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, that he would be expelled and declared “persona non grata.”
Foreign minister Penny Wong called the move unprecedented, noting it was the first time since World War II that Australia had expelled a foreign envoy. She added that limited diplomatic channels would remain open to safeguard Australia’s interests.
Australians urged to leave Iran
Australia also recalled its own ambassador and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran. Albanese added that Australian diplomats previously posted in Iran have been relocated to a third country.
Following the embassy’s closure, Australians in Iran were urged to “strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.” The alert warned that foreigners, including Australians and dual nationals, face a “high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest.”
Albanese also announced plans to legislate the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. Western governments have long accused the Guard of orchestrating attacks abroad, often through proxies, though Tehran denies involvement.
The accusations against Iran come amid heightened tensions following Australia’s recent decision to recognise a Palestinian state. The move drew a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who called Albanese “a weak politician who had betrayed Israel.”
Albanese said Australian intelligence had linked Iran to arson attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food company in Sydney last October, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne in December.
“ASIO has gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion,” said Albanese, referring to the domestic spy agency. “The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks.”
He described the incidents as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” adding, as quoted by AP, that they were intended to “undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable.”
Shortly before the announcement, the government informed Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, that he would be expelled and declared “persona non grata.”
Foreign minister Penny Wong called the move unprecedented, noting it was the first time since World War II that Australia had expelled a foreign envoy. She added that limited diplomatic channels would remain open to safeguard Australia’s interests.
Australians urged to leave Iran
Australia also recalled its own ambassador and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran. Albanese added that Australian diplomats previously posted in Iran have been relocated to a third country.
Following the embassy’s closure, Australians in Iran were urged to “strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.” The alert warned that foreigners, including Australians and dual nationals, face a “high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest.”
Albanese also announced plans to legislate the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. Western governments have long accused the Guard of orchestrating attacks abroad, often through proxies, though Tehran denies involvement.
The accusations against Iran come amid heightened tensions following Australia’s recent decision to recognise a Palestinian state. The move drew a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who called Albanese “a weak politician who had betrayed Israel.”
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