Australia expels Iran envoy, accuses Tehran of directing antisemitic attacks: What to know
Iran was responsible for the arson attack against a kosher cafe in Sydney as well as the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, according to Australian intelligence services.
Australia expelled the Iranian ambassador on Tuesday after implicating the Islamic Republic in two antisemitic attacks in the country in recent months.
The move, which was rebuked by Iran, comes amid rising antisemitism in Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that after he directed intelligence services to investigate incidents targeting Jews in the country that occurred after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) reached the “deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks.”
Details: Iran was responsible for the arson attack against the Lewis Continental Kitchen kosher cafe in Sydney in October 2024, as well as the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024, according to Albanese. The premier added that the Iranian ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, has been informed that he will be expelled, and Australia has evacuated its staff from the Australian Embassy in Tehran.
