Australia expels Iran envoy over arson attacks

Australia accused Iran of directing two antisemitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne and gave Tehran's ambassador seven days to leave the country on Tuesday, its first such expulsion since World War Two.

Canberra is the latest Western government to accuse Iran of carrying out hostile covert activities on its soil. Last month, 14 countries, including Britain, the US, and France, condemned what they called a surge in assassination, kidnapping, and harassment plots by Iranian intelligence services.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had gathered credible intelligence that Iran was behind at least two attacks.

"These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil," Albanese told a press briefing.

"They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community." Iran had sought to "disguise its involvement" in last year's attacks on a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Albanese said.

No injuries were reported in the attacks. Since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023, Australian homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles have been targeted in antisemitic vandalism and arson, while Islamophobic incidents have also surged.

Australia's decision was motivated by internal affairs, and antisemitism had no place in Iranian culture, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

Iran would take an appropriate decision in response to Australia's action, state media quoted the spokesperson as saying. Australia's security agency said it was likely that Iran had directed further attacks, Albanese said