Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador on Tuesday, accusing the country of being behind antisemitic arson attacks in Melbourne and Sydney.
It marks the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II.
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Intelligence services reached a “deeply disturbing conclusion” that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Tehran was behind a fire attack on a kosher cafe, the Lewis Continental Cafe, in Sydney’s Bondi suburb in October 2024, the prime minister told a news conference.
It also directed an arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024, the prime minister said, citing the intelligence findings.
No physical injuries were reported in the two attacks.
“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. It is totally unacceptable.”
Australia declared Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi “persona non grata” and ordered him and three other officials to leave the country within seven days.
Australia also withdrew its own ambassador to Iran and suspended the embassy’s operations in Tehran.
