Australia expels Iran envoy over 2024 antisemitic attacks
Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador after intelligence services concluded Tehran was behind antisemitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney in 2024.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the removal of Iran's ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi marked the first time since World War II that Australia has taken such a step.
"There's no doubt that these extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil have crossed the line and that is why we have declared Iran's ambassador to Australia persona non grata, as well as three other Iranian officials and they will have seven days to leave the country," Wong said.
"Even before today the Albanese government had taken stronger action on Iran than any previous Australian government, and we have long known that Iran and its proxies tried to destabilise countries in our region and beyond," she added.
Wong also condemned Iran's attacks for damaging social harmony in Australia."Iran has sought to undermine the cohesion of our community, they have tried to divide the Australian community and they've done so with acts of aggression that not only sought to terrify Australians but put Australian lives in danger," she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said intelligence services reached a "deeply disturbing conclusion" that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks.
He said Tehran was behind a fire attack on the Lewis Continental Cafe in Sydney’s Bondi suburb in October 2024 and an arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024. No physical injuries were reported in either incident.
Iran was likely responsible for other antisemitic incidents in Australia, said Albanese.
"These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil," Albanese said. "They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable."
Australia is preparing legislation to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
It has withdrawn its ambassador from Tehran and suspended operations in its embassy, which has been operating since 1968.
Australia will keep its diplomatic ties with Iran despite the withdrawal, according to Wong.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
