Australia has uncovered credible intelligence that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks in the country and has expelled the Iranian ambassador in response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday, flanked by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the nation’s spy chief. “The Australian government is taking strong and decisive action.”

The Australian embassy in Tehran has suspended its operations, the prime minister added, and has given Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi seven days to leave the country, in Australia’s first such expulsion since World War II.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman criticized the move as an “inappropriate diplomatic action” that will be met with a “reciprocal response,” without giving more details. Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran that accusations of antisemitism leveled at Iran were “absolutely baseless.”

The two antisemitic attacks involved arson at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney last year. They were directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Australia will list as a terrorist organization, Albanese said.

The Iranian embassy in Canberra was not involved, he added. The embassy did not respond to earlier calls and emails requesting comment.

Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, welcomed the decision and urged other countries to take similar action against the Islamic Republic. He declined to say whether Israel had assisted Australia’s efforts in investigating the attacks.

Since Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and other fronts, Australia has seen a series of incidents of antisemitism.

Australia backed Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in June in an air campaign that sought to derail the country’s atomic activities and uranium enrichment program.

Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, said for the past 10 months antisemitism has been one of ASIO’s most pressing priorities.

“ASIO now assesses the Iranian government directed at least two and likely more attacks on Jewish interests in Australia,” Burgess said. “ASIO is still investigating possible Iranian involvement in a number of other attacks.”

Iran used “a complex web of proxies to hide its involvement,” he added.

Australia has a long-standing bilateral relationship with Iran, having maintained an uninterrupted diplomatic presence since opening its embassy in Tehran in 1968. Iran opened its embassy in Canberra in 1971.

Two-way trade between the countries was A$339.9 million ($220 million) in the fiscal year through June 2023. Traditionally, Iran has been one of Australia’s leading wheat export destinations, as well as a buyer of barley, wool and meat.

The expulsion of the ambassador was welcomed by AUSIRAN, an umbrella organization of activists in Australia that advocate for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

“Over the years, members of our community have submitted multiple complaints raising concerns about harassment and intimidation linked to the ambassador and his office,” AUSIRAN said in a statement. “His expulsion is therefore a necessary step for our safety and dignity.”

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—With assistance from Arsalan Shahla and Alisa Odenheimer.

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