Canberra [Australia], November 27 (ANI): Australia on Thursday officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism, following attacks targeting the country’s Jewish community. The move comes after assessments by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) concluded that the IRGC orchestrated two attacks in 2024: the bombing at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October and the attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December.
The Albanese government described the attacks as “cowardly” attempts to sow division within Australia’s multicultural society. The designation follows the passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025, which provides the government with new powers to address acts of state-backed terrorism. The IRGC is the first entity to be listed under these provisions.
Under the new law, it is now a criminal offence in Australia to direct, associate with, recruit for, train with, provide or receive funds from, or otherwise support a listed entity. Offences carry penalties of up to 25 years in prison.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the IRGC’s involvement in attacks within Australia, calling them “unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression by a foreign nation” and stating, “It has no place in Australia.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the listing enables police and intelligence agencies to better disrupt extremist networks, asserting, “All Australians deserve to feel safe and at home.”
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government acted swiftly to ensure counter-terror laws remain effective, adding that the reforms make it “more difficult, more risky, and more costly for malicious foreign actors to seek to cause Australia and our community harm.” (ANI)
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