Canberra Responds to "Deeply Disturbing" Findings
CANBERRA – In a historic diplomatic move, Australia has expelled Iran's ambassador and severed key diplomatic ties after intelligence linked Tehran to two anti-Semitic arson attacks on Australian soil.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) uncovered "credible intelligence" implicating Iran in firebombing targeting a kosher food business in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.
“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese stated during a press conference. He emphasized that the attacks were designed to "undermine social cohesion and sow discord" and described them as "totally unacceptable."
Swift and Comprehensive Measures
The Australian government’s response includes:
- Ambassador Expelled: Iran's envoy, Ahmad Sadeghi, along with three officials, has been declared "persona non grata" and given seven days to leave the country. This is the first expulsion of a foreign ambassador by Australia since World War II.
- Embassy Suspended: Australia has halted operations at its embassy in Tehran, relocating its diplomats to a third country for security.
- IRGC Terrorist Listing: Legislation will be introduced to formally list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a step long requested by Australia’s Jewish community.
- Travel Advisory: Australians in Iran are urged to "strongly consider leaving" due to the heightened risk of arbitrary detention.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess clarified that while the attacks were not carried out by Iranian diplomats, intelligence indicates the IRGC used "a complex network of proxies" to orchestrate the incidents. Burgess also noted ongoing investigations but stressed that not all anti-Semitic acts in Australia are linked to Tehran.
Global and Domestic Repercussions
The diplomatic escalation comes amid a surge in anti-Semitic incidents since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in late 2023. Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state has further strained relations with Israel. However, the Israeli embassy in Canberra praised the IRGC terrorist designation, stating, "Iran's regime is not only a threat to Jews or Israel; it endangers the entire free world, including Australia."
The Albanese government confirmed it will maintain minimal diplomatic channels to protect national interests but emphasized that the expulsion signals zero tolerance for foreign interference. Analysts see this as a pivotal moment in Australia’s foreign policy, marking a significant escalation in tensions with Tehran.
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