The Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, has denied claims by Israel and Iran that the decision to expel Iranian diplomats and list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRC) as a terroist organisation was influenced by Israel.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) announced yesterday that at least two anti-semitic attacks were carried out by the Iranian regime.
Burke denied Iran’s allegations on ABC AM Radio, that expelling the Iranian ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, as well as two other diplomats, was done to appease Israel.
“We’ve taken this action because Iran has attacked Australian’s. No other country is involved in terms of that conclusion,” he said.
“That’s something Australia needed to respond to and we responded in the strongest way.”
Burke’s response came after Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, took to X last night, labelling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as weak.
“Canberra should know better than to attempt to appease a regime led by War Criminals,” he wrote.
Burke also responded to Israel’s accusations that the decision was made because of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticisms of Australia in recent weeks.
Israeli government spokesperson, David Mencer, hosted a press conference overnight where he implied Australia’s decision was because of being shamed by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
“Jewish Australians felt threatened,” he said.
“The relationship between this country and Australia was damaged. So it’s welcomed, that after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s timely intervention, that these actions have been taken by Australia’s government.”
Burke dismissed the claims as “complete nonsense”.
“Whatever is said by anyone else doesn’t change the obligation of Anthony Albanese as Australian prime minister to protect Australians,” he said.
Iran denied the allegations made by the ASIO and Prime Minister Albanese is yet to share more details on how the ASIO found connections.
Albanese also confirmed that Australian diplomats in Tehran, Iran’s capital, were evacuated on Monday night.
Photo: 10 News Press Conference
