Iran slashes diplomatic relations with Australia after Canberra accuses Tehran of orchestrating synagogue arsons and expels its ambassador in a dramatic escalation.
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran announced Thursday it has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Australia, just days after Canberra expelled the Iranian ambassador over claims that Tehran orchestrated antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed the retaliatory move, declaring that Australia’s diplomatic presence in Tehran had been reduced and that the Australian ambassador had already departed the country.
The fallout comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran of directing “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression” on Australian soil. Intelligence from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organization (ASIO) linked Tehran to arson attacks against the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a Jewish-owned business.
“These were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community,” Albanese said. He announced Australia would expel Iranian envoy Ahmad Sadeghi, suspend operations at its Tehran embassy, and formally designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Iran, however, flatly rejected the charges. “The accusation of antisemitism against Iran is ridiculous and baseless,” Baghaei countered, expressing regret over the diplomatic rift but insisting Tehran would not accept what it views as fabricated allegations.
Despite the sharp downgrade, Iranian officials confirmed their embassy in Canberra remains open for consular services. Still, the crisis marks one of the most serious diplomatic ruptures between the two nations in decades, fueled by accusations of state-sponsored antisemitic violence and foreign interference.
