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| Australia and Iran Angry Photo Gemini |
In a significant diplomatic move, Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador and closed its embassy in Tehran following revelations of Iranian government involvement in antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australian intelligence agencies had linked the Iranian government to these attacks, which targeted Jewish institutions last year.
The Attacks
Two notable incidents were traced back to Iran [source information provided]:
- Firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue: On December 6, the synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed.
- Attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen: On October 20, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney was attacked.
Australia’s Response
The Australian government has taken a firm stance against Iran’s actions:
- Expulsion of Iranian Ambassador: The Iranian ambassador has been expelled from Australia, marking the first such expulsion since World War II.
- Closure of Australian Embassy in Tehran: The embassy operations in Tehran have been suspended due to the volatile security situation and unpredictable conditions that could worsen without warning.
Implications
The closure of the embassy has significant implications for Australians in Iran:
- Limited Consular Services: Australians in Iran will have extremely limited access to consular assistance, which must be coordinated from Australia.
- Emergency Contact Information: Australians in need of consular assistance can contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre:
- Within Australia: 1300 555 135
- Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305
Government’s Stance
The Australian government, led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong, has urged Australians in Iran to exercise extreme caution and depart the country if it is safe to do so. The government’s decision to close embassy operations reflects the severity of the security assessment for Iran during the ongoing regional conflict ¹ ².