Australia Has Expelled Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Role In Coordinating Antisemitic Attácks

Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador and suspended diplomatic relations with Tehran after accusing the Iranian government of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) concluded the Iranian government was behind arson attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food company in Sydney, in October 2024, and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.

“ASIO has now gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion,” Albanese told reporters.

“The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks.”

Describing the incidents as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” the prime minister said the attacks were attempts to undermine social cohesion and “sow discord in our community.”

The Australian government formally informed Iran’s Ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, of his expulsion shortly before the announcement and has withdrawn Australian diplomats from Tehran, relocating them to a third country.

An advisory issued to Australians in Iran confirmed the closure of the Australian embassy and urged citizens to “strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.” The travel warning to Iran has been updated to its highest level, stating: “Do not travel.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would maintain limited diplomatic channels with Tehran to protect national interests but stressed the severity of the move, noting that it was the first time Australia had expelled an ambassador since World War II.

Authorities have arrested one suspect linked to the Sydney café fire and two others accused of torching the Melbourne synagogue. Australian intelligence officials have previously warned that foreign actors were likely paying local criminals-for-hire to carry out such attacks.

Iran has not yet responded to the allegations.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions and a spike in antisemitic incident in Sydney and Melbourne since the outbreak of Israel-Hamas war in 2023