Iran announced on Thursday that it has downgraded diplomatic ties with Australia in retaliation for Canberra’s decision to expel Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three other Iranian diplomats. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries following allegations that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was involved in a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in Australia in 2024.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Wednesday that the expulsions were linked to two high-profile arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, which he described as “anti-Semitic acts” intended to destabilize Australian society. One incident occurred on October 20, 2024, when The Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher deli located in Sydney’s Bondi suburb, was set on fire. Another attack took place on December 6, 2024, when the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s Ripponlea district was torched by three masked arsonists using a liquid accelerant, resulting in severe damage and the destruction of sacred texts.
Tehran has firmly rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless” and “ridiculous.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the decision to downgrade ties was “reciprocal and in line with diplomatic norms,” adding that Iran would continue to maintain a limited consular presence in Canberra to serve its nationals. While no official details were released, the downgrade is expected to include the expulsion of Australia’s ambassador to Tehran and a reduction of Australian diplomatic staff in Iran.
Prime Minister Albanese alleged that Iranian operatives orchestrated the attacks as part of a campaign to “undermine social cohesion and sow discord” in Australia, but so far, Australian authorities have not released concrete evidence to substantiate those claims. Tehran has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and accused Canberra of following external pressure rather than presenting factual proof.
The latest developments further strain relations between Iran and Australia, which have already been tense over broader Middle East policies, including Canberra’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program and its alignment with U.S.-led regional security initiatives. Analysts warn that the tit-for-tat expulsions could mark the beginning of a prolonged diplomatic rift unless independent investigations are conducted to verify the allegations.