Australia Accuses Iran Of Directing Anti-Semitic Attacks On Sydney, Melbourne, To Expel Envoy

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 10:29 IST

Australia will expel Iran ambassador as PM Albanese accused Tehran for executing antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australian PM Albanese condemned the alleged actions, terming the violence "dangerous acts of aggression." (Image: Reuters/file photo)

Australia has announced that it will expel Iran’s ambassador to Canberra, with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accusing Tehran of executing at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, according to multiple news reports.

“A short time ago, we informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia that he will be expelled," news outlet Aljazeera quoted the Australian Prime Minister as saying.

According to a report in news agency Reuters, Australian homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles have been targeted in antisemitic vandalism and arson since the Israel-Gaza conflict began in October 2023.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Australian PM Albanese condemned the alleged actions, calling the violence as “dangerous acts of aggression."

Australia’s security agency had obtained credible intelligence indicating that the Iranian government was behind at least two attacks, Albanese said during a press briefing.

Albanese added that ASIO has assessed that Iran was behind the attacks reported in Sydney and Melbourne on October 20 and December 6, respectively.

“Iran has sought to disguise its involvement, but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year, and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6," Reuters quoted him as saying.

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil," Albanese said. “They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community," he added.

Further, Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and all its diplomats were moved to out of Iran, Albanese announced. He added that his government would designate Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other Iranian diplomats have been told to leave the country within seven days. She explained that this is the first time since World War II that Australia has expelled an ambassador, Aljazeera reported.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

Read More

Location :

Australia

First Published:

August 26, 2025, 10:29 IST

News world Australia Accuses Iran Of Directing Anti-Semitic Attacks On Sydney, Melbourne, To Expel Envoy

Read More