Australia's government has made the unprecedented decision to expel the Iranian ambassador following allegations that Iran executed orchestrated antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne last year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the assaults as 'extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation'.
These attacks, which remain uninjured, were significant enough to summon intelligence from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which indicated that Iran could potentially be responsible for future assaults on Jewish targets within Australia.
In a bid to address these threats, Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi, alongside three other Iranian officials, has been given just seven days to leave the country. Although Iran has yet to respond to these accusations, the Australian government has stated that this represents the first expulsion of an ambassador since World War II.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong mentioned that diplomatic relations would still be maintained with Tehran but noted the suspension of embassy operations in Iran for the safety of Australian staff. Wong also cautioned Australians against travel to Iran and urged any current visitors to safely depart the country.
In addition, Albanese declared that his administration would formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, further solidifying the government's stance against perceived threats from Iran.
These attacks, which remain uninjured, were significant enough to summon intelligence from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which indicated that Iran could potentially be responsible for future assaults on Jewish targets within Australia.
In a bid to address these threats, Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi, alongside three other Iranian officials, has been given just seven days to leave the country. Although Iran has yet to respond to these accusations, the Australian government has stated that this represents the first expulsion of an ambassador since World War II.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong mentioned that diplomatic relations would still be maintained with Tehran but noted the suspension of embassy operations in Iran for the safety of Australian staff. Wong also cautioned Australians against travel to Iran and urged any current visitors to safely depart the country.
In addition, Albanese declared that his administration would formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, further solidifying the government's stance against perceived threats from Iran.
