Iranian Ambassador Expelled from Australia Over Alleged Attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Iran of orchestrating attacks targeting the Jewish community in the country. In response, the Australian government announced the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador stationed in Canberra.

Speaking to reporters in the capital on Tuesday, Albanese described the two attacks that took place last year in Sydney and Melbourne as “a dangerous assault carried out by a foreign state aimed at disrupting social cohesion.”

He stated that along with expelling the Iranian ambassador, operations of the Australian embassy in Tehran have been suspended, and all diplomats have been relocated to a third country. Additionally, the Australian government is moving to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

According to Australian officials, the attacks occurred on October 10, 2023, at Louis Continental Kitchen in Sydney and on December 6 at Adas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. Both incidents involved arson, but no casualties were reported, although there was significant property damage.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other Iranian diplomats were declared persona non grata and have been instructed to leave the country within seven days. This marks the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II.

Wong added that limited communication with Tehran will be maintained to protect diplomatic interests. Australian citizens residing in Iran have been advised to return home promptly, and the public has been warned against traveling to Iran.