Australia confronts Iranian terrorism as Jewish communities face threats mirroring Israel’s decades-long warnings.
Australia took a historic step on Thursday, officially designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism, after concluding that Tehran orchestrated two antisemitic attacks targeting the country’s Jewish community in 2024. The IRGC becomes the first-ever foreign entity listed under Australia’s newly created State Sponsors of Terrorism framework.
Canberra’s assessment linked the IRGC to the October 2024 attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney and the December 2024 attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne—two assaults designed to terrorize Jewish Australians and fracture the nation’s multicultural fabric.
“These cowardly attacks sought to sow fear and division by targeting Jewish Australians,” the government said, condemning Iran’s actions as deliberate assaults on Australian soil. In response, lawmakers passed the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025, empowering Australia to take direct action against foreign regimes involved in terrorism.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated bluntly:
“Iran’s attacks were unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation… the IRGC has no place in Australia.”
The listing criminalizes a range of dealings with the IRGC, serving both as a deterrent and as a warning to the public. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the measure strengthens law enforcement, intelligence operations, and protections for vulnerable communities:
“This is a direct response to the despicable actions of the Iranian government.”
The Albanese government stressed that no extremist network—whether foreign-backed or ideologically motivated—will be allowed to threaten Australians. The decision also underscores growing Western recognition that Iran’s global terror apparatus extends far beyond the Middle East, echoing Israeli intelligence warnings long dismissed by many nations.
Tehran, predictably, denied all accusations and retaliated diplomatically in September by downgrading ties with Australia following Canberra’s expulsion of the Iranian ambassador. But Australia’s determination signals a decisive shift: Western democracies are no longer willing to turn a blind eye to Iran’s worldwide campaign of antisemitic terror.
