Australia expels Iran ambassador; PM Anthony Albanese says Iran directed antisemitic attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia and said the country is cutting off diplomatic relations with Iran.

Mr. Albanese said that Australian intelligence services had connected Iran to attacks on a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue.

Shortly before the announcement, the Australian government told Iran’s ambassador to Australia that he will be expelled. It also withdrew Australian diplomats posted in Iran to a third country, Mr. Albanese said.

There has been a steep rise in antisemitic events in the two cities since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023.

“ASIO has gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion. 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,” Albanese told reporters, referring to the main domestic spy agency.

Australia will legislate to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, Mr. Albanese said.