Anthony Albanese has now turned to why the press conference was called.

Since the terrible events of October 7 2023, we have witnessed a number of appalling anti-Semitic attacks against Australia’s Jewish community.

I made it clear these sorts of incidents have no place in Australia. And I wanted ASIO and the AFP to investigate as a priority. ASIO has gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion, the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on the Lewis continental kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne.

ASIO assesses it’s likely Iran directed further attacks as well. These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil.

They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. The Australian government is taking strong and decisive action in response. We informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia he would be expelled.

We have suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran, and all our diplomats are now safe in a third country. I can also announce the government will legislate to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation.

The Australian people want two things, they want killing in the Middle East to stop, and they don’t want conflict in the Middle East brought here. Iran has sought to do just that.

They have sought to harm and terrorise Jewish Australians and sow hatred and division in our community. The actions of my government send a clear message, a message to all Australians we stand against anti-Semitism, and we stand against violence. And a message to nations like Iran who seek to interfere in our country, that your aggression will not be tolerated.