breakingIran: Anthony Albanese expels Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi after attacks on Jewish communitiesCaitlyn RintoulThe NightlyTue, 26 August 2025 11:30AMCommentsCommentsEmail Caitlyn Rintoul
Anthony Albanese has expelled Iran’s Ambassador to Australia Ahmad Sadeghi and three other officials and accused the Middle East nation of orchestrated attacks on Jewish communities.
It includes coordinating a firebombing of a Jewish synagogue in Melbourne in December last year and a Sydney continental kitchen in October.
The Prime Minister said his Government was “taking strong and decisive action in response” to the “dangerous” attacks on home soil.
“ASIO has gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion, the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks,”the PM told a Canberra press conference on Tuesday.
“Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on the Lewis continental kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne.
“We informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia he would be expelled.
“We have suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran, and all our diplomats are now safe in a third country.
“It is likely Iran directed further attacks as well. These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil.
“They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. It is totally unacceptable and the Australian Government is taking strong and decisive action in response.”
He said Australia will also list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard as an official terrorist organisation.
His Foreign Minister Penny Wong added “Iran’s actions are completely unacceptable”.
She said Iran’s ambassador to Australia had been served a “persona non grata” as well as three other Iranian officials.
“They’ll have seven days to leave the country,” Senator Wong said.
“This is the first time in the postwar period that Australia has expelled an ambassador.
“Iran has sought to undermine the cohesion of our community. We have long known that Iran and its proxies try to destabilise countries in our region and beyond.
“The Government has now taken the step to withdraw our ambassador to Iran and we have suspended the operations of our embassy in Iran.
“Australia has had an embassy in Iran since 1968 and at that time, and since that time, it has never been an endorsement of the regime. It has been a channel to advocate for our interests and for our people.
“I know many Australians have family connections in Iran, but I urge any Australian who may be considering travelling to Iran please do not do so. If you’re an Australian in Iran, leave now if it is safe to do so.”
Australians in need of consular assistance should call the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.
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