SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Iran of directing antisemitic attacks in Australia and announced that Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has been expelled from the country. 

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese said that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has gathered credible evidence that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023.

"Iran has sought to disguise its involvement, but the ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks," he said. "They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community."

"The Australian government is taking strong and decisive action in response," Albanese said.

He said that the Australian embassy in Tehran has suspended operations and all its diplomats are safe in a third country.

The Australian government will move to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, Albanese said.

ALSO READ: Australia Post suspends most parcel services to US in response to tariffs

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that it is the first time that an ambassador has been expelled from Australia since World War II, and urged any Australians in Iran to leave if it is safe to do so.

In addition to Sadeghi, three other Iranian officials have been declared persona non grata and will be required to leave Australia within seven days.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said that the agency has identified arson attacks against a Melbourne synagogue in December 2024 and a kosher restaurant in Sydney in October 2024 as those ordered by the IRGC.

He said that the Iranian embassy and diplomats were not involved in the attacks but that they were directed by the IRGC through organized crime contacts.

"The IRGC used a complex web of proxies to hide its involvement," he said.

The ASIO informed the government of its assessment on Monday, Burgess said, adding that the security agency believes Iran was behind further attacks.