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Australia accuses Tehran of directing anti-Semitic attacks, expels Iran’s ambassador

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” with the aim of undermining social cohesion in Australia.

“It is totally unacceptable, and the Australian government is taking strong and decisive action,” he said.

“A short time ago, we informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia that he will be expelled.”

The prime minister stated Australia has also suspended operations at its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and moved all of its diplomats to a third country.

“I can also announce the government will legislate to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation,” he added.

The attacks took place at the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 10 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, according to Australian officials. There were no casualties in either of the attacks, but in both incidents, assailants set fire to both properties, causing extensive damage.

Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, stated that the Iranian ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, and three of his colleagues have been declared persona non grata and given seven days to leave the country. She added the move marked the first time that Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II and that the country has also withdrawn its envoy to Tehran.

Still, the Albanese government will maintain some diplomatic lines with Iran to advance Canberra’s interests, Wong continued, advising Australians in the Middle Eastern country to return home. She also warned Australians considering travelling to Iran to refrain from doing so.

There was no immediate comment from Iran.

Iranian daily slams reformists over criticism of Russia

Iran and Russia Flags

In a column published Tuesday, the paper responded to Sadr’s recent comments in a Foreign Ministry media program, in which he claimed that “Russia has shared information on Iran’s air defense systems with Israel.”

Kayhan dismissed the statement as baseless, alleging instead that “the authors of the Reformist Front’s statements have provided information to Israel,” claiming to possess “solid evidence.”

The editorial argued that reformist positions often mirror “the rhetoric of (Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” point to “a desire for regime change,” and display a lack of strong opposition to Israel.

The newspaper further linked reformists to the 2009 post-election protests, calling them “assets of Israel in Iran.”

Kayhan suggested that criticism of Russia by reformist figures stems from Moscow’s support of Iran at the UN, its opposition to the snapback sanctions mechanism, and its confrontation with the US over the war in Ukraine.

Neither Sadr nor the Reformist Front has responded to the allegations.

Iran FM urges Muslim states to sever ties with Israel, end to genocide in Gaza

In his speech at the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Monday, Araqchi said to establish peace and ensure the complete withdrawal of occupying forces from Gaza, the Islamic countries must mobilize all political, economic, and legal tools, be it sanctions, boycotts, or coordinated international pressure against Israel.

He also called for accountability at every level, in every court, against all those who committed or enabled war crimes and genocide in Palestine.

Araqchi added: “Gaza stands like a shocking mirror before our collective conscience. What unfolds before our very eyes is the systematic destruction of a besieged people by a ruthless apartheid regime acting with complete impunity.”

The top Iranian diplomat pointed out: “The people of Gaza are being massacred in a premeditated manner; entire residential areas have been wiped out; hospitals have turned into graveyards; and children, in flagrant violation of every human standard, are trapped in famine and extreme hunger. This is not an ordinary war. It is collective punishment, a policy of domination, and yes, an onslaught bearing all the hallmarks of genocide.”

Araqchi reiterated: “Now the perpetrators of these crimes openly speak of their plans to impose full and permanent military control over Gaza. They talk of new enclosures, new buffer zones, and new expulsions, calling it “security”. But we know its real name: “ethnic cleansing”, a systematic effort to dismember a nation until nothing remains but their annihilation or exile.”

He said international law classifies starvation and indiscriminate bombardment as war crimes and crimes against humanity. At the same time, the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits targeting civilians, destroying homes, and forcibly displacing populations. This is the deliberate imposition of conditions designed to destroy a population, and it has only one name: genocide.

Syria interim president to speak at UN General Assembly next month: Official

Ahmed al-Sharaa

Sharaa “will take part in the United Nations General Assembly in New York where he will deliver a speech”, the official said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to brief the media.

Sharaa took power in December after his group led a coalition of forces that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad after nearly 14 years of war.

“He will be the first Syrian president to speak at the United Nations since former president Nureddin al-Atassi (in 1967), and the first Syrian president ever to take part in the General Assembly’s high-level week,” scheduled for September 22-30, the official added.

Since taking power, Syria’s new authorities have gained regional and international support.

In April, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani addressed the United Nations for the first time and raised his country’s new flag at the body’s New York headquarters.

Sharaa met US President Donald Trump in May in Saudi Arabia, a week after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first trip to the West.

Sharaa remains under United Nations sanctions and a travel ban due to his past as a wanted militant, and must request an exemption for all foreign trips.

Israeli military raids Syrian town in Damascus countryside, opens fire on civilians

Israel Army

No injuries were reported in the Israeli raid on Beit Jinn town, the state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV reported.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army or Syrian authorities on the onslaught.

On Sunday evening, Israeli soldiers advanced into the Quneitra province, located within the disengagement zone in the occupied Golan Heights, for the 3rd time in August.

Enemy threats to be met with Iran’s stronger response: Armed Forces General Staff

Iranian Army

In a statement, the General Staff congratulated the nation on Government Week, commended the government’s sincere service to the Iranian people, and declared that it will continue to support the administration in advancing the sacred goals of the Islamic Revolution more than ever before.

The statement stressed that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, by following the directives and guidance of the Supreme Leader, will dedicate all their strength and efforts to enhancing military capability and defensive power, in order to safeguard the nation’s interests, Iran’s territorial integrity, and the foundations of the Islamic Republic.

The message also stressed the importance of solidarity and the deep bond between the Iranian people and the country’s officials in ensuring Iran’s strength across various domains.

It further stated that the leaders of the United States and the “ignorant” prime minister of the usurping, child-killing Zionist regime, after suffering a military defeat in the 12-day imposed war, have sought to sow division and polarization inside Iran to compensate for their loss by undermining the unity of the people, the branches of power, and the Armed Forces.

The General Staff assured that Iran’s Armed Forces will resolutely and more forcefully than before confront any hostile adventure or threat against the nation, the country, and the Islamic Revolution.

World-famous singer Sami Yusuf donates part of Istanbul concert proceeds to Gaza

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 23: Renowned as one of the leading figures in world music, Sami Yusuf performs in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 23, 2025. ( Cem HasretTekke?ino?lu - Anadolu Agency )

The concert, titled Between Two Seas, drew a crowd of more than 25,000 people and featured a 75-member orchestra along with several international artists.

During the performance, Yusuf dedicated his song Didar (Visitation) to Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Opening the event with remarks in Turkish, Yusuf said, “May God protect the entire Muslim Ummah and all of humanity from harm and evil.”

He added, “Our prayers are always with our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Palestine. We hear your voices, and we are with you. May God be your helper and protector.”

The artist, known for blending spiritual and contemporary music, has frequently used his platform to advocate for humanitarian causes.

The death toll from the Israeli genocide is nearing 62,690, with nearly 158,000 others injured.

Iranian President Pezeshkian pays tribute to ‘Martyrs of Power’

The visit took place after Pezeshkian renewed his pledge of allegiance at the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The president was accompanied by senior officials during the ceremony, where he laid flowers and offered prayers at the graves of commanders killed in Israeli strikes earlier this year.

More in pictures:

Iran hopes to begin Russian gas imports via Azerbaijan soon, ambassador says

Russia Gas Europe

Kazem Jalali told Russia’s TASS news agency that Tehran is in ongoing talks with Gazprom to finalize all aspects of the project.

“Almost all issues have been resolved, but we need to reach a common language on pricing,” he said. “Once that is agreed, everything will be operational.”

Jalali also criticized Western governments for their “silence and inaction” over Israel’s military aggression in Gaza.

He noted that the conflict is a “proxy war,” with Israel acting “on behalf of the West,” and censured Tel Aviv for committing “crimes against humanity” by targeting civilians.

Jalali also touched on the escalation between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance in June, saying Iran demonstrated its ability to respond decisively to attacks. “Iran is not Gaza,” he stressed. “If attacked, we will react seriously.”

The envoy also noted that by the end of 2025, Iran expects to expand the use of Russia’s Mir payment cards nationwide.

Israel says ‘ready to support’ Lebanon’s endeavours to disarm Hezbollah

Benjamin Netanyahu

Following the war between Israel and Hezbollah last year, the Lebanese army has been deploying in the country’s south and dismantling the group’s infrastructure there.

Lebanon has been grappling with the thorny issue of disarming Hezbollah, with the cabinet this month tasking the army with developing a plan to do so by the end of the year.

Despite the ceasefire that ended the war, Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, saying it will do so until Hezbollah is disarmed.

Israeli forces also continue to occupy five areas of the south that they deem strategic.

“Israel stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to work together towards a more secure and stable future for both nations,” stated Netanyahu, according to a statement released by his office.

If the Lebanese government follows through with the plan, Netanyahu added Israel was prepared to “engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF (military) presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism”.

Hezbollah, the only faction that kept its weapons after Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, emerged badly weakened from last year’s war with Israel.

Earlier this month, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem promised to push back against the Lebanese government’s plans to disarm his group.

The Israeli statement came with the United Nations Security Council set to vote later on Monday on the future of the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon that has faced US and Israeli opposition.

The Council will vote on a French-drafted compromise that would keep the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), first deployed in 1978 to separate Israel and Lebanon, in place for one more year while it prepares to withdraw.

The resolution would extend the force’s mandate until August 31, 2026.