SYDNEY, Aug 27 (NNN-AAP) — The Australian government, today rejected claims that, its move to expel the Iranian ambassador and suspend its own embassy in Tehran was taken to appease Israel.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, said this morning that, Iran’s actions had “crossed a line” after Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese yesterday accused the Middle Eastern nation of directing antisemitic attacks in Australia, since Oct, 2023.
Albanese announced at a press conference yesterday that, Iranian Ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi and three other officials had been expelled from Australia, after the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) gathered “credible evidence” that Iran directed at least two attacks.
Responding to the accusation on social media platform X, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, Abbas Araghchi said that, Canberra “should know better than to appease” the Israeli regime.
Wong said that the government rejected the claim and had faith in ASIO’s assessment.
“This is a violent attack on Australian soil against Australians. It cannot be countenanced. It’s unacceptable,” she told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television.
“That’s why we have taken unprecedented action. This is the first expulsion of an ambassador in the post-war period,” she said.
In addition to expelling Sadeghi, Australia has suspended its embassy in Tehran and will move to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, Albanese said.
ASIO has identified arson attacks on a Melbourne synagogue in Dec, 2024, and a Sydney kosher restaurant in Oct, 2024, as those believed to have been directed by Iran.
Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke told ABC radio this morning that, the accusations against Iran were “not made lightly” and that the Australian public should have a “very high level” of confidence in ASIO’s assessment.– NNN-AAP
