Australia has ordered Iran's Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other diplomats to leave within seven days after allegedly directing two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023. This rare step marks the first expulsion of an ambassador by Australia in the post-war era.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited intelligence from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), describing the attacks as a 'violent assault on Australian soil.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that these allegations were 'not made lightly' and urged the public to have full confidence in ASIO's assessment.
In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the expulsion as unjustified and called anti-Semitism a 'Western phenomenon' misused to deflect from Israel's policies. Tehran warned of reciprocal measures and cautioned that Australia would bear responsibility for any harm to Iranian residents in Australia.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong dismissed suggestions that Australia was aligning solely with Israel. She emphasized that Iran had 'crossed a line' by orchestrating the attacks and stood by ASIO's findings. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi retorted that Canberra 'should know better than to appease' the Israeli regime.
Analysts say this diplomatic rupture highlights growing tensions in the Middle East spilling over into the Asia-Pacific. For a global audience tracking shifts in international relations, the move underscores how domestic security concerns can drive bold foreign policy decisions.
As both sides brace for possible fallout, the world will be watching whether Tehran follows through on its threats and how Australia navigates this unprecedented diplomatic standoff.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
