Australia’s government announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, asserting that the Islamic Republic orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informed reporters that ASIO, the nation’s principal domestic intelligence agency, had “gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion.”

Albanese declared, “The Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks,” specifying incidents at a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue. He added, “Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks.”

Prior to Albanese’s announcement, the Australian government notified Iran’s ambassador to Australia of the impending expulsions. Concurrently, it withdrew Australian diplomats stationed in Iran to a third country.

Antisemitic incidents in both Melbourne and Sydney saw a sharp increase subsequent to the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel, which initiated Israel’s continuing offensive on Gaza.

The Prime Minister further stated that Australia intends to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

This action follows Australia’s prior announcement that it intends to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The announcement prompted a scathing response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who made accusations against Australia.

Netanyahu stated, “History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.”