2024 Iranian operations inside Australia
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Jewish businesses and synagogues
| Date | 20 October 2024 (Sydney) 6 December 2024 (Melbourne) |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Type | alleged state-sponsored terrorism (denied by the accused)[1] |
| Target | Jewish Australians Jewish businesses and synagogues |
| Organised by | Sayed Moosawi (Pleaded not guilty)[2]
|
| Outcome |
|
| Non-fatal injuries | 1 |
| Property damage | A$46 million (estimated) |
| Arrests | 9 |
| Accused |
|
| Sayed Moosawi | |
| Known for |
|
| Judicial status | Pleaded not guilty[2] |
| Call sign | James Bond |
| Motive |
|
| Details | |
| Locations | Sydney and Melbourne |
| Wayne Ogden | |
| Known for | Allegedly set the fires in Bondi.[2] |
| Motive | Money |
| Details | |
| Location | Sydney |
| Part of a series on the |
| Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
|---|
 |
In 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at the direction of the Iranian government, allegedly organised and carried out at least two terrorist attacks within Australia. The first of the attacks occurred on 20 October 2024, when a group of arsonists led by Australian Sayid Moosawi conducted an attack on Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher restaurant in Sydney. The second attack took place on 6 December 2024, when another group of Australian arsonists firebombed the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, injuring one congregation member and dealing approximately A$45 million of property damage. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director Mike Burgess said he believes Iran was also responsible for more antisemitic attacks in the country.
On 26 August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the IRGC was responsible for the attacks. In the press conference, Albanese said he had expelled the Iranian ambassador and closed operations at the Australian embassy in Tehran. It marked the first time Australia had expelled an ambassador since World War II.
Since the onset of the Gaza war, Australia has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents. Alongside this, the Australian Terrorism Threat Level was raised to probable, meaning there is a greater than 50% chance of onshore terrorist attacks or terrorism planning.[5]
Attacks
Lewis Continental Kitchen – Sydney
On 20 October 2024, Sayed Moosawi allegedly directed a group of arsonists to attack the Lewis Continental Kitchen, a Jewish kosher restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Bondi.[6][7] For this attack, Moosawi allegedly received A$12,000.[8] No people were injured in this attack, however it resulted in approximately A$1 million in property damages.[8]
Adass Israel Synagogue – Melbourne
In the early morning on 6 December 2024, a group of 3 arsonists firebombed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea.[9] This attack injured one member of the synagogue's congregation, and dealt $45 million in property damages, with repairs later partially funded by the government.[citation needed]
Investigation
Arrests
The people arrested in connection with the attacks were not charged with terrorism.[10]
Allegations by the Australian government
On 26 August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, ASIO director Mike Burgess, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. In this press conference, Albanese said ASIO had gathered enough 'credible intelligence' to link Iran to both the Lewis Continental Kitchen and Adass Israel Synagogue attacks, as well as likely further attacks.[11] The government expelled the Iranian ambassador, ceased operations at the Embassy of Australia in Iran, and moved all consular staff to another country. He also announced that Australia would list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, pending enabling legislation.[6] In October 2025, the Mossad named Sardar Amar as the man in the IRGC causing antisemitic attacks across the world, including Australia.[12]
It was later reported that the Albanese government was aware of the Iranian involvement for months prior to the announcement.[13]
On 27 November, the government listed the IRGC as a "state sponsor of terrorism" with the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025.[14][15]
