Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Iran was behind at least two antisemitic plots on Australian soil, in what ASIO boss Mike Burgess has called “extraordinary and dangerous” acts of foreign interference.
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Burgess emphasised that beyond the violence, Iran was attempting to destabilise Australian social cohesion.
In response, the government has begun proceedings to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
On Tuesday afternoon’s episode of The Briefing, we sat down with intelligence expert Justin Bassi to unpack why this is a major escalation in national security, and what it could mean for Australia’s international relationships.
Bassi described the developments as a major escalation.
“The attribution to the Iranian regime of directing violence in Australia, very, very significant. And the expelling of an ambassador for the first time since World War II,” Bassi said.
He also highlighted Iran’s broader motivations, pointing to signs of concern within Australian society: “It looks like they have used this not just to suppress critics and to carry out violence against Jews in Australia… but they’ve actually sought to sow division across Australia.”
“Unfortunately, the reality is that at the moment there is growing tension, growing conflict all around the world, including in our region.
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