2024 Iranian operations inside Australia

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2024 Iranian operations inside Australia
Date20 October 2024 (2024-10-20) (Sydney)
6 December 2024 (2024-12-06) (Melbourne)
Location Sydney · Melbourne
Typealleged state-sponsored terrorism (defined by the accused) [1]
Target Jewish Australians
Jewish businesses and synagogues
Organized bySayed Moosawi (Pleaded not guilty) [2]

Flag of Iran.svg Iran (evidence undisclosed)

Outcome
  • Iranian ambassador to Australia expelled, given 3 days to leave the country
  • Embassy of Australia in Tehran closed until further notice
  • Australian diplomats evacuated from Iran to third country
  • IRGC be listed as a terrorist organisation
Non-fatal injuries1
Property damage A$46 million (estimated)
Arrests9
Accused
  • Sayed Moosawi
  • Wayne Ogden
Sayed Moosawi
Known for
    • Former Nomads bikie gang chapter president [3]
    • Caravan bomb hoax. [4]
    • Allegedly organised the arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. [2]
Judicial statusPleaded not guilty [2]
Call signJames Bond
Motive
  • Money
  • Influencing a criminal prosecution [5] [5]
Details
LocationsSydney and Melbourne

In 2024 the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at the direction of the Iranian government, organised and carried out at least two terrorist attacks within Australia. The first of the attacks occurred on 20 October 2024, when a group of arsonists led by Australian Sayid Moosawi conducted an attack on Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher restaurant in Sydney. The second attack took place on 6 December 2024, when another group of Australian arsonists firebombed the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, injuring one congregation member and dealing approximately A$45 million of property damage. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director Mike Burgess said he believes Iran was also responsible for more antisemitic attacks in the country.

Contents

On 26 August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the IRGC was responsible for the attacks. In the press conference, Albanese said he had expelled the Iranian ambassador, and closed operations at the Australian embassy in Tehran. It marked the first time Australia had expelled an ambassador since World War II.

Background

Since the onset of the Gaza war, Australia has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents. Alongside this, the Australian Terrorism Threat Level was raised to probable, meaning there is a greater than 50% chance of onshore terrorist attacks or terrorism planning. [6]

Attacks

Lewis Continental Kitchen – Sydney

On 20 October 2024, Sayed Moosawi allegedly directed a group of arsonists to attack the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a Jewish kosher restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Bondi. [7] [8] For this attack, Moosawi allegedly received A$12,000. [9] No people were injured in this attack, however it resulted in approximately A$1 million in property damages. [9]

Adass Israel Synagogue – Melbourne

In the early morning on 6 December 2024, a group of 3 arsonists firebombed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. [10] This attack injured one member of the synagogue's congregation, and dealt $45 million in property damages, with repairs later partially funded by the government.[ citation needed ]

Investigation

Arrests

The people arrested in connection with the attacks were not charged with terrorism. [11]

Allegations by the Australian government

On 26 August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, ASIO director Mike Burgess, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. In this press conference, Albanese said ASIO had gathered enough 'credible intelligence' to link Iran to both the Lewis Continental Kitchen and Adass Israel Synagogue attacks, as well as likely further attacks. [13] The government expelled the Iranian ambassador, ceased operations at the Embassy of Australia in Iran, and moved all consular staff to another country. He also announced that Australia would list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, pending enabling legislation. [7] In October 2025, the Mossad named Sardar Amar as the man in the IRGC causing antisemitic attacks across the world, including Australia. [14]

It was later reported that the Albanese government was aware of the Iranian involvement for months prior to the announcement. [15]

International reactions

Flag of Iran.svg  Iran – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that his government of having any involvement in the attacks while labelling Albanese as a "weak politician". [16]

Flag of Israel.svg  Israel – The government supported Australia expelling the ambassador, and claimed credit for pressuring Albanese into the expulsion. This was later refuted by Tony Burke, who stated it was solely his government's decision and called the claims that it was due to Israeli pressure "complete nonsense". [17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Buckley 2025: "Moosawi’s defence lawyer, Zemarai Khatiz, said his client denied any involvement with the Iranian government and disputed that he had “contacted, communicated with or been directed by them in any way”. There is no suggestion that Ogden was aware of the alleged Iranian involvement."
  2. 1 2 3 4 Buckley, Penry (20 December 2025). "Antisemitic incidents across Australia since 2023 – timeline". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ https://www.watoday.com.au/national/nsw/caravan-plot-unleashed-terror-in-sydney-minns-20250311-p5lijp.html
  4. ↑ https://www.watoday.com.au/national/nsw/caravan-plot-unleashed-terror-in-sydney-minns-20250311-p5lijp.html
  5. 1 2 Duffin, Perry; Buckley, Penry; Maddison, Max; Rawsthorne, Sally; Schultz, Amber (10 March 2025). "Bikie boss allegedly directed Bondi arson attacks as part of conspiracy of violence". WAtoday. On Monday, officers from NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police said a caravan discovered containing explosives in Dural in Sydney's west and 14 other antisemitic attacks across Sydney's east were a "con job" fabricated by organised criminals trying to either distract police or influence a prosecution.
  6. ↑ Oboler, Andre (13 January 2025). "Is Australia facing an antisemitism crisis? The evidence is clear". ABC Religion & Ethics. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Here's what we know about Iran's involvement in Australian attacks". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "The figures allegedly behind Sydney's high-profile antisemitic attacks". ABC News. 14 March 2025. One of those arrested was an alleged former Nomads chief Sayed Moosawi, who police will allege is the person known as 'James Bond' that orchestrated the torching of two businesses at Bondi Beach in October. The 33-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges including directing a criminal group and for directing the planning of arson attacks on the Curly Lewis Brewery and Lewis' Continental Kitchen.
  9. 1 2 "Court documents allege A$12,000 payment for arson attack in Jewish business". ABC News. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil". www.9news.com.au. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ↑ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-24/sydney-anti-semitism-attacks-terrorism-definition-police/104852490
  12. ↑ Chris Minns [@ChrisMinnsMP] (26 August 2025). "The revelations about Iran and its proxies involvement in directing violent, antisemitic attacks on Australian soil are deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ May, Natasha; Dhanji, Krishani; May (now), Natasha; Dhanji (earlier), Krishani (26 August 2025). "PM declines to comment on reports of other attacks orchestrated by Iran; Israel praises Australia for 'principled stand' – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Doran, Matthew (26 October 2025). "Israel names Iranian it says is responsible for attacks in Australia". ABC News . Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  15. ↑ Clennel, Andrew; Godsell, Oscar (27 August 2025). "Albanese government aware of Iran's role in terror attacks on Australian soil months before action". Sky News .
  16. ↑ "'Complete nonsense' for Israel to claim credit for Iran move: Burke — as it happened". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  17. ↑ "Iran slams 'weak' Albanese as Israel claims credit for ambassador ban". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.