Australia accuses Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks as it expels ambassador

Australia on Tuesday accused Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks in the country, expelling the Iranian ambassador to Canberra in response

Australia on Tuesday accused Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks in the country, expelling the Iranian ambassador to Canberra in response.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia’s domestic spy agency had “credible intelligence” that Iran was behind two attacks on Jewish sites in Melbourne and Sydney last year, part of a series of what Albanese called “appalling” acts of antisemitism in the country since the Israel-Hamas war began almost two years ago.

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese told reporters, adding that it was considered likely that Iran had directed other attacks as well.

“They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community,” he said. “It is totally unacceptable, and the Australian government is taking strong and decisive action in response.”

In addition to expelling the Iranian ambassador, Australia has closed its embassy in Iran, with all of its diplomats already out of the country, Albanese said. He said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite military force loyal to Iran’s supreme leader, would also be listed as a terrorist organization.