Australia Expels Iranian Diplomats Over Antisemitic Attacks

The Australian government has expelled Iran's ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other Iranian officials after alleging that Iran directed antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne last year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attacks were 'extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation.' The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) chief, Mike Burgess, said that Iran was 'likely' behind the attacks on Jewish targets in Australia. The Australian government will also designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation and has suspended operations at its embassy in Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians not to travel to Iran and called for any citizens in the country to leave now if it is safe to do so.

The Australian government has expelled two Iranian diplomats after alleging that the Islamic Republic was behind at least two antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the country's domestic spy agency, ASIO, had gathered credible intelligence linking Iran to the attacks. The government also plans to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. The move comes after Australia announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, which triggered a scathing response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Australia of betraying Israel.

The Australian government has decided to expel Iran's ambassador to Canberra after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Tehran of being behind two antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. The attacks, which targeted Jewish institutions, were carried out in October and December 2023. Australia's security agency, ASIO, gathered credible intelligence that the Iranian government directed the attacks. Albanese condemned the actions as 'extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression' that aimed to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in the Australian community. The decision to expel the ambassador comes amid a surge in antisemitic vandalism and arson in Australia since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023.