Iran has vowed to take action after Australia expelled its ambassador and three other diplomats over allegations linking Tehran to anti-semitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Speaking at a weekly press conference, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei strongly denied the accusations and warned of consequences.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier accused Iran of orchestrating the October 2024 firebombing of a kosher café in Sydney’s Bondi area, as well as a December attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
In response, Australia declared Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi persona non grata, ordering him and three other Iranian officials to leave the country within seven days. Canberra also withdrew its ambassador from Tehran and suspended operations at its embassy, which has been open since 1968.
The diplomatic fallout marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries and comes amid growing international scrutiny over Iran’s alleged foreign influence operations even as the country’s foreign ministry suggested Australia’s actions were politically motivated.
