Iran has expressed "disgust" at Australia's formal designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism, describing the move as an "unjustified and insulting action" intended to "pay ransom" to Israel.
The reaction, to what was largely a formality from the Australian government, marks the latest escalation in a months-long dispute that began when Australian intelligence agencies linked the IRGC to two arson attacks targeting Jewish community sites in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024.
New legislation passed earlier this month enabled the government to list foreign state entities as sponsors of terrorism, with the IRGC becoming the first to be designated under the framework.
In a statement, Iran's foreign ministry said the designation, made by Australia on Thursday, was "illegal, unjustifiable, and in violation of international rules and norms that safeguard a state's sovereignty," arguing that Australia's decision rested on "completely false and fabricated accusations by the security institutions of the Zionist regime," referring to Israel.
"[Iran is] expressing its disgust at the adherence of some Australian politicians to the evil policy of the genocidal Israeli regime in spreading lies against Iran," the statement, shared to Telegram on Friday, added.
Intelligence agency findings that Iran orchestrated the arson attacks led Australia to expel Iran's ambassador — the first such expulsion since the World War Two — and later to recall its own envoy, signalling a steep deterioration in relations.
At the time, an Israeli government spokesperson said it compelled Australia to act, but Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke strongly denied this, in October saying Australia acted on its own intelligence.
It followed remarks Burke made in August, dismissing suggestions that Israel had pressured Australia into action as "complete nonsense."
Iran warned that Australia's decision sets a dangerous criminal precedent, amounting to "complicity of the perpetrators of this action with criminals who are being prosecuted by the International Criminal Court," likely referring to arrest warrants issued in November 2024 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
It further accused the government of allowing the "long-standing diplomatic relationship between Iran and Australia [to become] a means of reconciliation and paying ransom to the Zionist occupying regime."
In recent weeks, Israel's spy agency Mossad has publicly discussed alleged IRGC involvement in antisemitic activity abroad, including Australia, prompting further scrutiny of Iran's regional operations.
Australia has rejected these claims. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said: "Iran's attacks were unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil," and stressed the listing is intended to deter further activity and restrict any dealings with the IRGC.
A joint statement from Wong, Burke and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland on Thursday said the arson attacks were "designed to undermine and sow division in our multicultural society, by targeting Jewish Australians to inflict harm and stoke fear."
Some Iranian-Australians say the designation represents a critical move that holds the IRGC accountable and strengthens protections for their communities.
"This is a landmark decision that strengthens national security and protects Australia's
multicultural society," Suren Edgar, vice president of the Australian Iranian Community Alliance, said in a statement on Friday.
"It also acknowledges the years of tireless advocacy and evidence-
based warnings raised by Iranian-Australian activists, human rights defenders, and
community organisations regarding the IRGC's violent operations, intimidation networks,
and foreign influence activities on Australian soil."
Meanwhile, the Australian-Iranian Community Organisation said: "For many Australians of Iranian background, this decision is also deeply personal."
"Our community includes refugees, former political prisoners, human rights defenders, and families who have directly experienced harm and intimidation linked to the IRGC," president Siamak Ghahreman said in a statment on Friday.
"Today's decision meaningfully reflects [our] long-standing concerns and advocacy.
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