Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador, Cuts off Diplomatic Relations over Antisemitic Attacks
Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi on Tuesday, accusing Tehran of orchestrating antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, according to BBC.
Accusation of Anti-Semitism
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that the Intelligence services concluded that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks.
Albanese clarified that these attacks include an arson attack on a cafe in Sydney in October last year and another on a synagogue in Melbourne in December.
Australian Security Intelligence Organization (Asio) chief Mike Burgess said Iran had “sought to disguise its involvement” in the attack on the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on 20 October, and Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue on 6 December.
Moreover, Albanese described both incidents as “attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community”.
No injuries were reported in the two attacks.
“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese added.
Ambassador Declared Persona Non Grata
Australia declared Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi “persona non grata” and ordered him and three other officials to leave the country within seven days.
The government also withdrew its own diplomats and suspended operations at the embassy in Tehran.
Currently, the Australian authorities plan to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization through new legislation.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that his country will maintain diplomatic lines with Iran to advance the interests of Australians.
Wong noted that while Australians have been advised against traveling to Iran since 2020, the government’s capacity to provide consular assistance there is now “extremely limited.”
Urging Australians to Leave Iran
He also urged all Australians to leave Iran immediately and turn back to their country.
“I do know that many Australians have family connections in Iran, but I urge any Australian who might be considering travelling to Iran, please do not do so,” she said.
“Our message is, if you are an Australian in Iran, leave now if it is safe to do so.”
Related Topics:
Australians March in Thousands against Gaza War
EU, UK, Australia Denounce Israel’s New Settlement Plan to ‘Bury’ Idea of Palestinian State
Iran Would Never Yield to US Pressure amid Nuclear Standoff: Khamenei
