Australia on Tuesday expelled Tehran’s ambassador and ordered seven Iranian officials to leave the country within seven days after accusing Iran of directing two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. The move marks the first expulsion of a foreign ambassador by Australia since World War Two. Canberra said the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had gathered credible evidence that Iran was behind the attacks, which targeted a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne last year. No injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attacks were part of a broader pattern of hostile covert activity attributed to Iran on Australian soil and noted that Iran had tried to mask its involvement. Australia also suspended operations at its Tehran embassy, with all diplomats accounted for in a third country, and Canberra announced plans to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, joining the United States and Canada in listing the group.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three Iranian officials had seven days to depart. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected Australia’s characterization, saying the decision would be met with a response after reviewing Australia’s actions.
The government warned that Iran could have directed further attacks, highlighting a climate of heightened risk since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023. The episode comes amid a spike in antisemitic vandalism and Islamophobic incidents in Australia, including an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue and antisemitic graffiti in Sydney, which local authorities and security agencies have condemned as terrorism or hate crimes.
Context from other recent developments shows Australia strengthening security and evacuation measures for its citizens in the region, with consular services in Iran constrained by the security situation and Australia coordinating with allies on diplomatic and security responses.
Commentators note that while the Australian move signals a firm stance against what it calls Iranian-directed violence and support for regional stability, it also tests the broader geopolitical battle lines in the Middle East, including ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel and shifting alignments among Western allies.
Summary: Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador and designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization after accusing Tehran of directing antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, signaling a hardening of stance amid a wider regional crisis and rising antisemitism in the country. The government says it will bolster security and pursue diplomacy, while Iran vows to respond.
Additional value and commentary:
– This development follows a pattern of Western governments increasingly attributing covert actions to Iran, and it could impact diplomatic, economic, and security dynamics in the region for months to come.
– In Australia, authorities have already stepped up security for Jewish communities and formed taskforces to address antisemitic acts, reflecting a broader national emphasis on protecting minority groups in the context of Middle East tensions.
– A constructive takeaway is the emphasis on accountability and the potential for renewed regional dialogue, even as nations take strong measures against Iranian-backed activities.
– Positive spin: by standing firm against such attacks and coordinating with allies, Australia reinforces a message of resilience and commitment to minority safety, while also encouraging international diplomacy to reduce broader tensions.
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