SAEDNEWS: Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador following unsubstantiated claims by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while the Foreign Minister emphasizes maintaining diplomatic relations and urging Australians in Iran to leave safely.
According to SaedNews, quoting ISNA, “Penny Wong,” Australia’s Foreign Minister, following a hostile statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese which made baseless allegations against Tehran, said that this is the first time in the post-war era that Australia has “expelled” an ambassador.
However, Wong stated that Canberra will maintain diplomatic relations with Iran to advance Australian interests. Australia has had an embassy in Tehran since 1968.
Although Canberra has issued travel advisories for Australians regarding Iran since 2020, Wong said that Canberra’s ability to provide consular assistance is now “very limited.”
According to AFP, she said: “I know that many Australians in Iran have family connections, but to any Australian who may be considering travel to Iran, I urge you not to do so. Our message is that if you are an Australian in Iran, leave now if it is safe to do so.”
Earlier, Albanese, without providing evidence or documentation, claimed that Australian intelligence services had linked Iran to attacks on a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue.
Nevertheless, Michael Burgess, head of Australia’s spy intelligence service, acknowledged that the Iranian embassy in Australia and its diplomats were not involved in the alleged attacks.
The Iranian embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
