Australia takes tough stance on Iran: Ambassador expelled, IRGC blacklisted

Canberra (Web Desk): Australia has accused Iran of planning anti-Semitic attacks within its borders, deciding to expel Tehran’s ambassador and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that security agencies obtained verified intelligence indicating Iran’s involvement in orchestrating at least two attacks targeting the Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne. These attacks included an incident at a Jewish restaurant in Sydney on October 20, 2023, and another at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6.

According to Albanese, the purpose of these actions was to "undermine our social cohesion and fuel sectarian divisions within society." He described this as "an extraordinary and dangerous interference by a foreign state, which we will not tolerate under any circumstances."

He also revealed that Australia has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, relocating all Australian diplomats to a third country for their safety.

Simultaneously, the Australian government announced it would ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, officially designating it as a terrorist organization. This step is being taken to ensure the safety of the Jewish community in Australia and uphold international law.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict, there have been multiple incidents targeting Jewish places of worship, schools, homes, and vehicles in Australia. The government has emphasized that it is treating these attacks with utmost seriousness.