Iran Denounces Expulsion of Envoy from Australia, Vows Response
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman denounced Australia’s decision to expel Iran’s ambassador, rejecting anti-Semitism allegations as baseless and warning that any improper diplomatic action will be met with a reciprocal response.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Esmaeil Baqaei reacted to Australia’s expulsion of the Iranian ambassador, emphasizing that any inappropriate diplomatic action would trigger a countermeasure. “My colleagues are currently weighing a response,” he said.
The spokesman categorically dismissed the anti-Semitism claims, stating, “These allegations are absolutely invalid, and the concept of anti-Semitism has no place in our religion. It is a concept fabricated by the Westerners, and they themselves should account for their historical record.”
Baqaei said Australia’s decision appears to have been influenced by domestic developments, pointing to recent massive protests in that country over the situation in Gaza.
“This action against Iran, which targets diplomacy, seems intended to offset the limited criticisms Australia has directed at the Israeli regime,” he said.
His comments came after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran of directing at least two anti-Jewish attacks in his country and announced plans to expel Iran’s ambassador in Canberra.
Speaking to reporters in the Australian capital on Tuesday, Albanese described the attacks, which took place in Sydney and Melbourne last year, as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation” to undermine social cohesion in Australia.
Albanese said Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran, and relocated all its diplomats to a third country.
