Australia’s national security agency has confirmed that Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, leading to the expulsion of Tehran’s ambassador and the announcement of new counterterrorism measures.
The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) revealed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s paramilitary force, directed these attacks through intermediaries operating within Australia. The incidents targeted the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis’s Continental Kitchen in Bondi, Sydney, both of which have significant Jewish associations.
ASIO’s Director-General, Mike Burgess, stated that the attacks were part of a broader strategy to “undermine social cohesion and sow discord” within the Australian community.
In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attacks as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil.” He emphasized that these actions were attempts to “undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community,” describing them as totally unacceptable. The Australian government has expelled Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran. Additionally, six Iranian diplomatic staff members were relocated to a third country for safety. The IRGC will be officially designated as a terrorist organization, with legislation to be introduced in federal parliament.
The attacks have drawn widespread international condemnation. The Israeli embassy in Canberra supported the Australian government’s actions, stating that Iran’s regime poses a threat not only to Jews or Israel but to the entire free world, including Australia. The United States and France also expressed concern, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating he was “not happy about it” and French President Emmanuel Macron calling the attacks “intolerable.”
These developments highlight the increasing concerns over foreign interference and the safety of religious communities in Australia. The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding national security.
The incidents follow a months-long wave of antisemitic attacks across Australia. In December, the Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed, and federal police investigations have pointed to criminal intermediaries being hired by foreign actors rather than purely ideologically motivated offenders. Two men have since been arrested in connection with the synagogue attack. The AFP has coordinated with international partners, including the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, to investigate the broader network behind these incidents.
Burgess clarified that while Iran was behind specific attacks, the agency does not believe the country is responsible for every antisemitic incident in Australia. He described the operations as involving a “layer cake of cut-outs” – intermediaries paid to carry out attacks on behalf of the IRGC – aimed specifically at disrupting social cohesion.
The Albanese government has called the measures its “most serious response” to foreign interference since the post-war period. Opposition leader Sussan Ley described Iran’s actions as “brazen attempts to cleave apart our social cohesion” and supported the government’s decisive steps.
