It's official: Iran has decided to cut back on Australia's diplomatic presence in Tehran after Canberra expelled Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi last month. 🤝❌
Australia's Ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, has already left the country. Meanwhile, Iran's embassy in Canberra is still open—its consular section is working to help Iranian nationals in Australia, despite new restrictions. 📋✈️
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the expulsion "unjustified" and warned it could harm relations between the two nations. 😬
The spark flew on August 26 when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced credible evidence showing Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks against Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023. He not only expelled Ambassador Sadeghi but also removed three other Iranian officials. 🕵️♂️
Albanese added that the Australian embassy in Tehran has suspended operations, with all diplomats safe in a third country. He also said Canberra plans to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. ⚖️
Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed that this was the first time an ambassador had been expelled from Australia since World War II – a rare and serious diplomatic move. 📜
Later that day, Iran condemned the decision, accusing Australia of echoing Israeli policies to distract from "ongoing atrocities" in Gaza and threatening reciprocal measures. 🔄
On August 27, Canberra disputed the idea that its actions were meant to appease Israel. 🤷♀️
With tensions rising, it's anyone's guess whether this standoff will escalate or cool down—stay tuned for the next chapter in this diplomatic saga! 🌐✌️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
