Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador Amid Antisemitism Allegations

Australia says it will expel Iran's ambassador after alleging the country's government directed antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attacks were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation. Nobody was injured in the attacks, which happened last year.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess stated that the agency had intelligence indicating Iran was likely behind more attacks on Jewish targets in Australia.

Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other Iranian officials have been ordered to leave Australia within seven days. Iran has not yet commented on the accusations.

Burgess reported that Iran has sought to disguise its involvement, but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on 20 October last year, and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on 6 December.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated that it was the first time since World War Two that Australia had expelled an ambassador.

Wong mentioned that Australia would continue to maintain some diplomatic lines with Tehran but had suspended operations at its embassy in Iran for the safety of staff.

She also urged Australians not to travel to Iran and advised any citizens currently in the country to leave now if it is safe to do so.

Albanese announced his government’s intention to classify Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.