Canberra, 26 August 2025 — The Albanese Government has taken unprecedented diplomatic action after ASIO and the Australian Federal Police confirmed that the Iranian Government was behind multiple anti-Semitic attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Tony Burke, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced that credible intelligence linked Iran to the October 20, 2024 attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney and the December 6, 2024 attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. ASIO further assessed it was likely Iran orchestrated additional incidents, despite attempts to disguise its involvement.
Authorities described the attacks as extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression by a foreign power, aimed at instilling fear, inflaming divisions, and undermining social cohesion. In response, the Government ordered the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador and three other diplomats. Operations at Australia’s embassy in Tehran have been suspended, with all Australian diplomats relocated safely to a third country. Legislation will also be introduced to formally list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
“These attacks are an assault on our society,” Mr Albanese said. “We will not allow foreign powers to bring their conflicts here, nor to target Australians because of their faith.” Minister Wong reinforced that Australia’s diplomatic measures send a clear signal to Tehran and to any nation seeking to interfere in domestic affairs: such aggression will not be tolerated.
Iranian officials have not yet issued any public response to the allegations.