Iran reduces Australia's diplomatic presence after Canberra expels its ambassador

Iran has reduced the level of Australia's diplomatic presence in the country following Canberra's expulsion of Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi last month, Iran's Khabar Foori news website reported on Thursday.

Australia's Ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, has left the country. Meanwhile, the consular section of Iran's embassy in Canberra continues to operate and is working to provide services to Iranian nationals in Australia despite imposed restrictions, Khabar Foori quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.

Baghaei described Canberra's expulsion of the Iranian ambassador as "unjustified" and said it "affects the two nations' ties."

On August 26, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a press conference that Iran was behind antisemitic attacks in Australia and announced that Sadeghi had been told to leave the country.

Three other Iranian officials had also been expelled from Australia.

Albanese stated that Australia had gathered credible evidence showing Iran directed at least two anti-Semitic attacks against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023.

He said that the Australian embassy in Tehran had suspended operations and that all its diplomats are safe in a third country. He also mentioned that Canberra plans to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

According to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, it was the first time an ambassador had been expelled from Australia since World War II.

Later that day, Iran condemned Canberra's move, accused Australia of following Israeli policies to divert attention from Israel's "ongoing atrocities" in Gaza, and warned of potential reciprocal measures.

On August 27, Canberra denied that its expulsion of Sadeghi and the suspension of its own embassy were done to appease Israel.