Australia is expelling Iranian diplomats after intelligence links the Islamic Republic to recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Australian government has announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, citing credible intelligence that suggests the Islamic Republic was involved in a series of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed reporters, revealing that the country’s primary domestic intelligence agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), had gathered sufficient evidence to reach a “deeply disturbing conclusion.” He stated, “The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks,” referencing incidents at a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue.
Albanese emphasized that Iran had attempted to obscure its involvement, but ASIO assessed that the Islamic Republic was indeed behind the attacks. The Australian government communicated the decision to expel the diplomats to Iran’s ambassador shortly before the public announcement.
In a related move, Australia has also withdrawn its diplomats stationed in Iran, relocating them to a third country for safety reasons. This decision follows a noticeable rise in antisemitic incidents in both Melbourne and Sydney, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel that sparked an ongoing military offensive in Gaza.
In addition to the expulsions, Prime Minister Albanese indicated that Australia intends to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This announcement aligns with Australia’s recent plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
The recognition of Palestinian statehood has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Australia of betraying Israel. He stated, “History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.”
As tensions continue to rise, the Australian government remains firm in its stance against antisemitism and the actions of the Iranian government, seeking to protect its citizens and uphold its international commitments.
Source: Original article