Charles Croucher: Australian correspondent on Australia expelling Iran's ambassador over anti-Semitic attacks

New intelligence reports have linked Iranian officials to multiple attacks against Australia’s Jewish community.

Iran's ambassador to Australia and three other Iranian officials have been expelled and given a week to leave the country. 

Australia's also suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist entity.

Australian correspondent Charles Croucher says this is an 'unusual situation' and investigations are still ongoing.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Australian intelligence services say Iran was behind two anti Semitic
attacks on Australian soil. The attacks were on ADUs Israel
Synagogue in Melbourne and then Lewis Continental Kitchen and Bondi.
Both were allegedly arranged by Iran through intermediaries. The Iranian
ambassador has been expelled must leave Australia in the next week.
Charles Croutcher is Channel nine chief political editor with US
now H Charles Hey Heather. Have they explained how they

(00:22):
know it was a run?

Speaker 2 (00:23):
No, they haven't because there are people that have been
arrested in this situation, so that we still investigations going
on and there will be the chance that these people
become prose prosecuted, which is unusual when it comes to
intelligence operations. But also this is an unusual situation. This
would be the first time since World War II that
Australia has been attacked at the behest of a foreign government.

(00:44):
It's certainly one of the first times we've expelled an
ambassador since World War II as well. So we are
in unusual circumstances here. But the government azo the Australian
Federal Police confident enough to make that announcement today, our
embassy in Iran has been evacuated. The ambassador over there

(01:05):
and any embassy staff have left the country, and that's
the expectation that Iran's ambassador will do so within a week.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
Have they explained why Iran wanted to target Australia of
all places, Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
They have the idea here is they say the motivation
is to cause a fracturing of the society in some
ways and also to isolate Jewish Australians here in particular.
As for why, of all the countries in the world,
we would be choosing to take Australia in our part

(01:38):
of the world, that's not clear.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
Now. The Australian diplomats in Iran a ware.

Speaker 2 (01:44):
A third country. They haven't said where they're evacuated to.
Given that area, I guess it's one of the other
Arab states that we do have better relations with, but
they won't say where they are at the moment. Only
they were told yesterday to get out, So it would
be a thing early Harry for twenty four hours to
clear out an embassy and get out of the country,

(02:04):
all while raising as little suspicion as possible throughout Tehran.
As this is going on.

Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, absolutely, Charles listen. Thanks for talking us through to
appreciate it as Charles Croucher, Channel nine's chief political editor.

Speaker 2 (02:17):
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