Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other officials, accusing Iran of orchestrating antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the decision on August 26, 2025, citing intelligence findings that linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attacks on a kosher cafe in Sydney’s Bondi suburb in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.
No injuries were reported in these incidents, but Albanese described them as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression” aimed at undermining social cohesion.
Australia has also suspended its embassy operations in Tehran, withdrawn its diplomats to a third country, and plans to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
This marks the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians in Iran to leave due to heightened risks of arbitrary detention.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, denied the allegations, calling them baseless and suggesting Australia’s actions were a response to criticism of Israel. He vowed a “reciprocal reaction” to the diplomatic measures.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) confirmed Iran used a “web of proxies” to conceal its involvement, with no direct role by Iran’s embassy in Canberra. Local suspects, including a former biker gang member in Sydney and a Melbourne man, have been charged in connection to the attacks.
