Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador, Cuts Diplomatic Ties Over Antisemitic Accusation

August 28 (WMF News) — Australia has taken the unprecedented step of expelling Iran’s ambassador and three senior diplomats after intelligence agencies confirmed Tehran’s direct involvement in two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the move “an extraordinary but necessary act to defend Australia’s sovereignty and the safety of our Jewish community.”

The expulsions follow months of investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which linked the October 2024 firebombing of Lewis’ Continental Kitchen café in Sydney and the December 2024 attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne to operatives connected with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Both incidents caused significant damage but no casualties.

 “These were not random hate crimes. They were acts of foreign-directed aggression carried out through a web of proxies, with Iran’s fingerprints all over them,” Albanese said in a national address.

Diplomatic Fallout

The Iranian embassy in Canberra has been ordered shut, while Australian diplomats have been withdrawn from Tehran. This marks the first time since World War II that Australia has expelled a foreign ambassador.

In parallel, the government announced it will formally designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, aligning itself with the United States, Canada, and several European countries.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed that Australia’s actions were not directed at the Iranian people but “at a regime that believes it can export terror and hatred onto Australian soil.”

Global and Domestic Response

Jewish community leaders across Australia welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as “a strong stand against antisemitism and foreign intimidation.” The U.S., U.K., and Canada also expressed support for Canberra’s response, calling on allies to confront Iran’s overseas influence operations.

Iran has denied involvement and accused Australia of acting under Western pressure. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry vowed a “measured response” and warned of “long-term consequences” for bilateral relations.

What This Means

The move effectively freezes diplomatic ties between Australia and Iran, raising concerns over consular services for citizens and ongoing trade arrangements. Analysts warn it could also heighten tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where Canberra is already navigating complex security challenges.

For Australia’s Jewish community, however, the decision represents reassurance that the state will act decisively against threats. “This is a turning point,” said Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia. “Never again will foreign-backed antisemitism go unanswered on our soil.”