MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran of directing not less than two antisemitic assaults in Australia and stated the nation is reducing off diplomatic relations with Iran.
Albanese stated that Australian intelligence companies had linked Iran to assaults on a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue.
Shortly earlier than the announcement, the Australian authorities advised Iran’s ambassador to Australia that he can be expelled. It additionally withdrew Australian diplomats posted in Iran to a 3rd nation, Albanese stated.
There was a steep rise in antisemitic occasions within the two cities for the reason that Israel-Hamas struggle started in 2023.
“ASIO has gathered sufficient credible intelligence to achieve a deeply disturbing conclusion. The Iranian authorities directed not less than two of those assaults. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement however ASIO assesses it was behind the assaults,” Albanese advised reporters, referring to the primary home spy company.
Australia will legislate to record Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, Albanese stated.
“These had been extraordinary and harmful acts of aggression orchestrated by a international nation on Australian soil,” Albanese stated.
“They had been makes an attempt to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our group. It’s completely unacceptable,” he added.
CORRECTION: A earlier model of this text incorrectly recognized the goal of Iran’s alleged assault in Melbourne.
