Australia expels Iranian ambassador over allegations country was responsible for antisemitic attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday gave Iran's ambassador to the country just seven days to leave the country over allegations the Iranian government was responsible for antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

Albanese told reporters that Australia's intelligence services linked Iran to an arson attack on a cafe in Sydney that occurred last October, and to an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne in December.

Australia has already withdrawn its diplomats from Iran, including its capital of Tehran, and has given Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other officials one week to leave Australia, according to the BBC. Iran has denied the allegations.

Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess said the investigation found links between the arson incidents and "commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)." The ambassador himself was not linked to the attacks.

The ASIO also believes Iran is linked to other antisemitic incidents in the country since war broke out in Gaza between Israel and Hamas in 2023, including attacks on Jewish schools and homes. 

Albanese said the attacks were "deeply disturbing" and marked "extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression." Australia will also designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and has advised Australians not to travel to Iran.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.