The Australian government has decided to expel Iran’s ambassador and three other Iranian diplomats, accusing Tehran of involvement in the organization of anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. This was stated in a joint statement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, reports Reuters.
“We have informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia that he and three other Iranian diplomats will be expelled from the country. We have suspended our embassy in Tehran and all our diplomats are now safe in a third country”, – the statement says.
It is also noted that the government is preparing a law that would allow the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be listed as a terrorist organization. The decision was explained by the fact that the Iranian authorities coordinated anti-Semitic attacks in Australia.
“Since the horrific events of 7 October 2023, we have witnessed a series of horrific anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community in Australia. The government has asked the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Federal Police, to investigate these incidents first, as they should have no place in Australia. So far, enough credible intelligence has been gathered to reach the deeply troubling conclusion that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks”, – officials emphasize.
