Iran has denounced Australia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties after intelligence findings linked Tehran to two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, calling the move an “assault on democracy”.
On Tuesday, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess said Iran directed the October 2024 attack on Sydney’s Lewis Continental Kitchen and the December 2024 firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue. The Albanese government responded by expelling Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and suspending operations at Australia’s embassy in Tehran the first such expulsion since World War II.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the allegations, suggesting Canberra’s actions were influenced by domestic political pressures, including recent protests over the Gaza conflict. He accused Australia of using the diplomatic rupture to “offset” its mild criticism of Israel.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia led the investigation, saying ASIO had traced the chain of responsibility “from the perpetrators… right through to the funding of those criminal acts”. He dismissed suggestions the findings were the result of a joint probe with other nations.
The Australian government also plans to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, pending legislation a move welcomed by Jewish community leaders but condemned by Tehran.
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