Diplomatic Crisis: Australia Expels Iranian Ambassador

Sada News - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today, Tuesday, that his country has decided to expel the Iranian ambassador following Tehran's involvement in two anti-Semitic attacks within Australia.

Albanese stated at a press conference that the Iranian government "directly ordered at least two anti-Semitic attacks in Australia," emphasizing that this behavior is unacceptable and undermines his country's democratic values.

He added that operations at the Australian embassy in Tehran have been suspended, and all Australian diplomats are now safe in a third country.

The Australian Prime Minister also announced that he will begin the process of designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, a move that escalates the diplomatic confrontation between Canberra and Tehran. Albanese noted that Australian intelligence agencies linked Iran to attacks targeting a restaurant in Sydney and a mosque in Melbourne.

Albanese told reporters: "The Australian Security Intelligence Organization has gathered enough reliable intelligence to reach a very concerning conclusion. The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran attempted to conceal its involvement, but the agency's assessment confirms that it was behind those assaults."

For her part, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated at a press conference that Australia has given the Iranian ambassador and three other Iranian officials seven days to leave the country, marking the first expulsion of an ambassador by Australia since World War II.

Australia has also recalled its ambassador to Iran and suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran.

The Foreign Minister affirmed: "We made this decision because Iran's actions are absolutely unacceptable."

She clarified that Australia will maintain diplomatic channels with Iran to protect the interests of Australians in that country.

Australia has had an embassy in Tehran since 1968.