Australia joins G7 in condemning Iranian repression abroad
Australia joined G7 Rapid Response Mechanism members on Friday in denouncing what they described as Iran’s systematic targeting of opponents overseas.
Australia joined G7 Rapid Response Mechanism members on Friday in denouncing what they described as Iran’s systematic targeting of opponents overseas.
“Iranian intelligence services have increasingly attempted to kill, kidnap, and harass political opponents abroad, following a disturbing and unacceptable pattern of transnational repression, and clearly undermining state sovereignty,” the joint statement said.
The signatories included the G7 states—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union—alongside associate members Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. They cited Iranian efforts to intimidate journalists and Jewish communities, as well as operations to obtain and expose personal information in order to divide societies.
“The G7 RRM stands in solidarity with our international partners whose citizens and residents have also been targeted by Iran,” the statement added, pledging to continue countering foreign interference and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Canberra expelled ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi late last month following an ASIO-led investigation linking Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to two anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney.
Separately, Canberra announced the renewal of counter-terrorism sanctions against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
“The Albanese Government has zero tolerance for foreign interference and violence in Australia,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in an X post, reiterating calls for the release of hostages taken on October 7, 2023.
Hamas is now considered one of the Iran's armed militant proxy forces in the region, alongside the Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis and a collection of Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria.
