Australia Accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guard of Directing Antisemitic Arson Attacks

Iran's Revolutionary Guard used two agents with prior connections to Australia to direct arson attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024, according to Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). Speaking at his annual national security briefing on Wednesday, Burgess stated that an Australian citizen based in Iran directed the firebombing of Lewis' Continental Kitchen, a kosher eatery in Sydney, while a former Australian resident living in Iraq orchestrated the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, which occurred two months later. The attacks caused damage to both facilities, and Australia formally blamed Iran for the incidents last year, resulting in a major diplomatic rift that led to Iran's ambassador being expelled from the country. Tehran has consistently denied responsibility.

Burgess disclosed that the Australian citizen involved was a senior Revolutionary Guard agent responsible for running the organization's networks globally, while the second agent had been recruited through Iraqi-based militia groups. According to Burgess, the Iranian authorities particularly valued the latter operative's criminal connections and continued to support his illegal activities. However, he noted that Iranian backing for the second agent changed dramatically following ASIO's public naming of Iran's involvement in the arsons. After further pressure from Australian and local law enforcement, the Iraqi-based operative was imprisoned by his Iranian handlers.

The investigation into the attacks has been described by Burgess as "one of the most difficult and detailed in recent ASIO history." Several individuals are facing criminal charges in connection with the arson attacks, though it remains unclear whether they were aware of the true identities of those directing their actions. Burgess noted that the Revolutionary Guard has been suspected of involvement in other antisemitic crimes in Australia since the beginning of Israel's military operations against Hamas in 2023. The suspects have not been publicly named to protect ongoing investigations and prosecutions.