Australia has expelled Iran's ambassador after accusing Tehran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks in the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there is credible intelligence that Iran was behind arson attacks on a Jewish-owned deli in Sydney.

Canberra

Australian officials have accused Iran's regime of orchestrating antisemitic attacks, including an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue and an incident at a Sydney restaurant. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) assessed that Iran was likely behind further attacks as well. In response, Australia is expelling Iran's ambassador, suspending its embassy operations in Tehran, and moving to classify Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Iran has denied the accusations and suggested the decision was influenced by Australia's internal politics, particularly its recent move to recognise a Palestinian state. The Australian government has not revealed detailed evidence but states that the diplomatic actions are intended to send a clear message against Tehran's alleged aggression.

Australia accuses Iran of orchestrating antisemitic attacks

An arson attack on a Jewish synagogue in Melbourne last year shocked the local community. Masked offenders poured accelerant on the building and set it alight. We believe it was deliberate, we believe it has been targeted. What we don't know is why. Now a top-level investigation has accused Iran's regime of orchestrating the anti-Semitic attack. They put lives at risk, they terrified the community and they tore at our social fabric. Iran and its proxies literally and figuratively lit the matches and fanned the flames. There's been a sharp rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Australia since the Israel-Hamas war began. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia's Security Intelligence Organisation, or ASIO, revealed Iran was behind at least one other. It was behind the attacks on the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year and the Adas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6 last year. ASIO assesses it is likely Iran directed further attacks as well. Australia is now moving to sever diplomatic ties with Iran, expelling its ambassador from Australia and has suspended operations at its own embassy in Tehran with all diplomats now safely in a third country. It also plans to classify Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Iran denied the accusations and vowed to react. What is clear is that this decision seems to have been influenced by the internal developments in Australia. That's likely referring to a recent decision by Australia's centre-left government. It would recognise a Palestinian state which has strained ties with Israel. The Australian people want two things. They want killing in the Middle East to stop and they don't want conflict in the Middle East brought here. Iran has sought to do just that. The government and security agencies haven't revealed their evidence of Iran's role in the anti-Semitic attacks but Albanese says cutting ties sends a clear message that Tehran's aggression won't be tolerated.

As the Israeli military gives an initial assessment of deadly strikes on a Gaza hospital, hundreds of thousands of protesters urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for a hostage deal.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Protesters urge Netanyahu to reach hostage deal

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Mason

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Starbase

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Washington

Trump clashes with Fed board member Lisa Cook, pushing to oust her

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Australia accused Iran on Tuesday (August 26) of executing two antisemitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne and gave Tehran's ambassador seven days to leave the country, its first such expulsion since World War Two.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia expels Iranian envoy over antisemitic attacks

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Texas

Rise of AI

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Baltimore

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Chicago

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Jerusalem

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National Guard patrolling Washington DC begin carrying weapons

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Napa Valley

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Sofia

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Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia told he may be sent to Uganda

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Los Angeles

Erik and Lyle Menendez denied parole

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Las Vegas

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Austin

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Breakdown