Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Albanese said the nation’s domestic spy agency, ASIO, had uncovered “credible intelligence” directly linking Iran to violent attacks on a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue.
“The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks,” Albanese declared. “Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks.”
Shortly before the announcement, Australia notified Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, that he and two of his colleagues were being expelled. Albanese said Australia has also pulled its own diplomats from Tehran, relocating them to a third country.
According to the Daily Mail, witnesses reported members of Iran’s embassy in Canberra hastily departing the building under the cover of night, covering their faces with jackets as they slipped into a waiting vehicle. Sadeghi was reportedly given just 30 minutes’ notice before the expulsion order was made public.
The prime minister linked the incidents to a broader surge in antisemitic activity following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, which set off the ongoing war in Gaza. Both Melbourne and Sydney have seen steep rises in antisemitic incidents over the past year.
Albanese also confirmed his government plans to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
The announcement follows Australia’s recent decision to support recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September, a move that triggered an angry response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Netanyahu said earlier this month.
