Australia accuses Iran of organising antisemitic attacks and expels ambassador

The Australian government has cut diplomatic ties with Tehran and expelled its ambassador amid accusations the country organised two antisemitic attacks.

Iran organised at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia, according to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said his country was expelling the Iranian ambassador and cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran in response.The Iranian government directed arson attacks at a kosher food company, the Lewis Continental Kitchen, in Sydney in October of last year, according to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). This was allegedly in addition to a separate attack on the Addas Israel synagogue in Melbourne of in December of last year. Iran’s government did not immediately respond to the news. “ASIO has 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.” “These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” he said. “They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable.”  The Iranian ambassador to Australian Ahmad Sadeghi was expelled and Australian diplomats to Iran were moved to a third country, Albanese said. Australians in Iran were urged to “strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.” “Foreigners in Iran, including Australians and dual Australian-Iranian nationals, are at a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest,” a warning read. Albanese also said that the Australian government would legislate to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. The Guard has been accused of carrying out attacks abroad throughout its existence, though it broadly denies any involvement. A spokesperson for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry welcomed the terrorist designation for the Revolutionary Guard, adding in a statement that the group was “outraged” that a foreign actor was behind the crimes. “Foremost, these were attacks that deliberately targeted Jewish Australians, destroyed a sacred house of worship, caused millions of dollars of damage and terrified our community,” the statement said. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra would keep some diplomatic lines open with Tehran to advance Australia’s interests.