2024 Iranian operations inside Australia

2024 Iranian operations inside Australia
Date20 October 2024 (2024-10-20) (Sydney)
6 December 2024 (2024-12-06) (Melbourne)
Location
TypeAlleged state-sponsored terrorism
TargetJewish Australians
Jewish businesses and synagogues
Organised byIran 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 listed as a state sponsor of terrorism
Arrests9 (Sydney attack)
4 (Melbourne attack)
Accused
  • Sayed Moosawi (Sydney attack)
  • Wayne Ogden (Sydney attack)
  • Giovanni Laulu (Melbourne attack)
  • Younes Ali Younes (Melbourne attack)
  • Unnamed man (Melbourne attack)

In 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at the direction of the Iranian government, allegedly organised and carried out at least two terrorist attacks within Australia. The first of the attacks occurred on 20 October 2024, when an organized crime-linked group of arsonists led by Australian Sayid Moosawi, a known associate and former president of the Nomads MC Parramatta chapter,[1] 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 causing property damage in excess of A$20 million. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director Mike Burgess said he believes Iran was also responsible for more antisemitic attacks in the country.

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.

Iran is also alleged to have directed a January 2025 attack on a childcare centre in Sydney that resulted in extensive property damage.[2]

Attacks

Lewis Continental Kitchen – Sydney

On 20 October 2024, the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a Jewish kosher restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Bondi, was set on fire. Sayed Moosawi has been charged with allegedly directing four men to set fire to the restaurant.[3][4][5] For this attack, Moosawi allegedly received A$12,000.[6] Moosawi denies any involvement with the Iranian government.[7] Wayne Ogden has been charged with allegedly starting the fire.[7] No people were injured in this attack, however it resulted in approximately A$1 million in property damages.[6]

Adass Israel Synagogue – Melbourne

In the early morning on 6 December 2024, a group of three arsonists firebombed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea.[8] The attack destroyed sacred texts and caused property damage in excess of A$20 million.[9][10] One member of the synagogue, who left to call police, sustained minor injuries to his hands after returning to the synagogue.[11] The Australian government will provide up to A$30 million over three years to rebuild the synagogue.[12][13] It is estimated that it will cost between A$25 million and A$40 million to rebuild.[14] Giovanni Laulu, Younes Ali Younes and an unnamed third man have been charged with allegedly starting the fire.[15][16]

Investigation

Arrests

Nine people were arrested in connection with the Sydney attack on the Lewis Continental Kitchen and were not charged with terrorism offences.[17]

Four people were arrested in connection with the Melbourne attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue and were not charged with terrorism offences.[16][18][19]

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.[20][21] 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 IRGC as a terrorist organisation, pending enabling legislation.[4]

It was later reported that the Albanese government was aware of the Iranian involvement for months prior to the announcement.[22]

In October 2025, the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad accused the leader of the Quds Force of the IRGC of orchestrating numerous foiled terror attacks in several countries, including Australia.[23]

On 27 November 2025, the government listed the IRGC as a "state sponsor of terrorism" under the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025.[24][25]

On 24 June 2026, ASIO director Mike Burgess said that an Australian citizen living in Iran allegedly organised the arson attack on the Lewis Continental Kitchen and that a former Australian resident living in Iraq allegedly organised the arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue.[26][27]

International reactions

 Iran – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that his government of having any involvement in the attacks while labelling Albanese as a "weak politician".[28]

 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".[29]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Former Nomads bikie president Sayed Mohammed Moosawi charged amid Dural caravan raids after allegedly commissioning Bondi arson attacks". 7 News.
  2. ↑ Beazley, Jordyn (10 September 2025). "Alleged mastermind behind antisemitic attacks on Sydney childcare centre and Jewish school charged". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Bolza, Miklos (26 May 2026). "Foul-mouthed bikie denies heading anti-Semitic attack". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 Morris-Grant, Brianna; Burgess, Annikia (26 August 2025). "Here's what we know about Iran's involvement in Australian attacks". ABC News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Barrett Peters, Courtney; Harris, Lia; Greenbank, Amy; Farrell, Paul (14 March 2025). "The figures allegedly behind Sydney's high-profile antisemitic attacks". ABC News.
  6. 1 2 Rix, Ethan (12 August 2025). "Court documents allege A$12,000 payment for arson attack in Jewish business". ABC News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 Buckley, Penry (20 December 2025). "Antisemitic incidents across Australia since 2023 – timeline". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Iran orchestrated at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil". www.9news.com.au. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Accused Adass Israel Synagogue arsonist, Giovanni Laulu, granted bail in Melbourne court". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Beatty, Liam (13 April 2026). "Giovanni Laulu, Younes Ali Younes: AFP to seek public interest immunity claim over information about Adass Israel fire". news.com.au. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Sciberras, Allanah (6 December 2024). "Man inside synagogue during firebombing says petrol can was thrown". 9News. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  12. ↑ Albanese, Anthony; Burns, Josh (18 March 2025). "Support for rebuilding Adass Synagogue". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Adass Israel Synagogue". Department of Home Affairs. Australian Government. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Alfares, Mohammad (19 June 2026). "Third man charged over synagogue terror attack". The Australian. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Alfares, Mohammad (19 June 2026). "Third man charged over synagogue terror attack". The Australian. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  16. 1 2 Australian Federal Police; Victoria Police; Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (19 June 2026). "Victorian JCTT charge third alleged Melbourne synagogue arsonist". Australian Federal Police (Press release). Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Pengilley, Victoria (24 January 2025). "Why has no-one arrested in relation to Sydney's antisemitic attacks been charged with terrorism?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Alfares, Mohammad (14 November 2025). "Alleged Adass Israel Synagogue arsonist granted bail". The Australian. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Australian Federal Police; Victoria Police; Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (17 July 2025). "Man charged in connection to theft of vehicle used in Melbourne synagogue arson attack". Australian Federal Police (Press release). Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  20. ↑ Albanese, Anthony; Wong, Penny; Burke, Tony (26 August 2025). "Response to Iranian attacks". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Albanese, Anthony; Wong, Penny; Burke, Tony; Burgess, Tony; Kershaw, Reece (26 August 2025). "Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra". Prime Minister of Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ Doran, Matthew (26 October 2025). "Israel names Iranian it says is responsible for attacks in Australia". ABC News. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  24. ↑ Wong, Penny; Burke, Tony; Rowland, Michelle (27 November 2025). "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps listed as a state sponsor of terrorism" (Press release). Minister for Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  25. ↑ Doran, Matthew (28 November 2025). "Iran condemns Australia's listing of IRGC as sponsor of terrorism as 'offensive and unjustified'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  26. ↑ Basford Canales, Sarah (24 June 2026). "Australian citizen working as spy for Iran 'orchestrated' Bondi firebombing, Asio boss says". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  27. ↑ Razik, Naveen (24 June 2026). "ASIO boss reveals Australian resident's link to synagogue plot, fears killing on home soil". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "'Complete nonsense' for Israel to claim credit for Iran move: Burke — as it happened". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  29. ↑ "Iran slams 'weak' Albanese as Israel claims credit for ambassador ban". ABC News. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
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