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By Shane Croucher, Robert Birsel, and Amira El-Fekki
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Australia has expelled an ambassador for the first time since World War II, ordering the Iranian envoy to leave the country and severing diplomatic relations after Canberra's security agencies concluded that Tehran had directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australian cities.
An Iranian spokesman denounced the decision, and rejected the accusations of antisemitism as baseless, Iranian media reported.
Newsweek has reached out to the Iranian Foreign Ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
Australia's decisive action on antisemitism and severing of relations with Iran comes after relations with Israel have come under severe strain because of Canberra's decision to recognize a Palestinian state. That recognition is due to be formalized at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The recognition of a Palestinian state marks a significant shift in the country's foreign policy and increases pressure on Israel amid the conflict in Gaza and widespread criticism of a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand the offensive in the coastal enclave.
Netanyahu branded Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a "weak politician who had betrayed Israel" by recognizing a Palestinian state.
What To Know
The Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) found that the Iranian government was behind arson attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food company, in Sydney, in October 2024, and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December that year.
Iran's Ambassador to Australia Ahmad Sadeghi was expelled in response.
"These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil," Albanese said in a statement on Tuesday, August 26.
"They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable."
An alert to Australians in Iran noted the embassy's closure and urged them to "strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so."
"Foreigners in Iran, including Australians and dual Australian-Iranian nationals, are at a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest," the warning read.
Australia updated its warning to travelers to its highest level: "Do not travel" to Iran.
Iranian foreign ministry's spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran is "weighing a response," the semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported.
"These allegations are absolutely invalid, and the concept of antisemitism has no place in our religion. It is a concept fabricated by the Westerners, and they themselves should account for their historical record," the spokesman told media in Tehran.
In Australia, the president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the Australian Jewish community is grateful to the Australian authorities "for their single-minded focus and dedication to investigating these attacks, bringing the perpetrators to justice, and protecting all Australians from terrorism."
"These attacks instigated by the Iranian regime are an attack on our nation and our sovereignty," the council's president, Daniel Aghion, said in a statement.
"Israel's enemies are Australia's enemies."
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What People Are Saying
Daniel Aghion, of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said: "Foremost, these were attacks that deliberately targeted Jewish Australians, destroyed a sacred house of worship, caused millions of dollars of damage, and terrified our community."
The Australian government said in a statement: "The actions of the Albanese government send a clear message that we stand against antisemitism and violence."
Iranian ministry spokesman Baqaei told media: "This action against Iran, which targets diplomacy, seems intended to offset the limited criticisms Australia has directed at the Israeli regime."
What Happens Next
It is not yet clear how Iran will respond.
Update 8/26/2025 5:40 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.
This article uses reporting by The Associated Press.
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