Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador After Spy Agency Links Tehran to Antisemitic Attacks
Canberra, August 2025 — In a rare and unprecedented move, Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador and suspended its diplomatic mission in Tehran after intelligence agencies confirmed that Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard orchestrated antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the decision following an Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) investigation that uncovered “credible intelligence” linking Iran to a series of incidents targeting Jewish communities in Melbourne and Sydney.
According to ASIO, the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was subjected to an arson attack, while Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi, Sydney, a Jewish-owned business, was also targeted. Both operations were allegedly carried out under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), using a network of intermediaries and “cut-outs” to mask its involvement.
Iran’s IRGC to Be Declared a Terrorist Group
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the IRGC coordinated the operations through a multilayered system of proxies, paying individuals in Australia to execute its plans. He confirmed that the federal parliament would soon debate new legislation to officially designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, bringing Australia in line with the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “They sought to fracture our society, intimidate our Jewish community, and spread fear. The Australian government will not tolerate such hostile behavior.”
Diplomatic Fallout: Ambassador Declared Persona Non Grata
Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, has been declared persona non grata and given seven days to leave the country, along with three other Iranian officials. In anticipation of the announcement, Australian diplomats posted to Tehran were quietly relocated to a third country.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the gravity of the decision, noting it was the first time since World War II that Australia has expelled a foreign ambassador.
“Iran’s actions are completely unacceptable,” Wong said. “Expelling the ambassador and his staff reflects the seriousness of this matter and sends a clear signal that foreign interference and intimidation will never be tolerated.”
Community at Risk
Burgess stressed that while not every antisemitic incident in Australia is linked to Iran, ASIO continues to investigate possible Iranian involvement in other cases.
“Iran and its proxies lit the matches and fanned the flames,” he said. “Their actions endangered lives, instilled fear, and struck at the heart of Australia’s social fabric.”
The revelation has sparked strong reactions within Australia’s Jewish community, which has long expressed concerns about rising antisemitism. Community leaders welcomed the government’s decisive action, saying it underscored the importance of protecting minority groups from foreign-sponsored threats.
A Historic Turning Point in Australian Foreign Policy
The expulsion of Iran’s envoy marks a historic shift in Canberra’s foreign policy, underscoring growing tensions between Australia and Iran. Analysts note that the decision will likely strain relations further, especially as Canberra edges closer to aligning its Middle East policies with those of its Western allies.
For the Albanese government, the move is not only a response to foreign aggression but also a broader effort to safeguard national security and reaffirm Australia’s commitment to democratic values and social cohesion.