Australia examines the hypothesis of an Iranian link to the armed attack in Sydney
Iran’s foreign ministry moved swiftly to condemn the attack, particularly as Tehran had previously been accused by Australian authorities of planning assaults against the Jewish community.
Australian authorities have launched a wide-ranging investigation following a deadly armed attack targeting a Jewish religious event in Sydney over the weekend. Police described the incident as an act of terrorism, reporting 12 fatalities and several injured. The investigation is currently focused on identifying those behind the attack, amid growing questions about possible external links, including Iran, as stated by representatives of the Jewish community.
According to New South Wales Police, gunmen opened fire on a gathering held to mark the Hanukkah holiday on Sunday in the Bondi Beach area, triggering panic and resulting in a significant number of casualties. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said security forces responded rapidly at the scene. One suspect was killed during the confrontation, another was taken to hospital in critical condition, while investigations continue to determine whether a third suspect was involved.
Amid the inquiry, The Times of Israel quoted Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, as saying that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs is considering the possibility of Iranian involvement in the attack. Leibler noted that the mere examination of this scenario at an official level reflects, in his view, the presence of indicators prompting authorities not to rule it out.
Despite these statements, Australian officials stressed that no conclusive evidence has yet emerged proving the involvement of any foreign actor. The police commissioner urged caution and warned against jumping to premature conclusions, emphasizing that investigative teams are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including the perpetrators’ backgrounds, motives, and potential support networks.
For its part, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly condemned the attack. In an official statement, spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran rejects violence and terrorism in all their forms, asserting that targeting civilians and committing mass killings are reprehensible wherever they occur. The statement did not address the indirect accusations circulated by some parties.
Meanwhile, an Israeli security official told the newspaper Israel Hayom that Israel is closely monitoring developments and conducting a parallel investigation to determine the nature of the attack and those responsible, particularly amid concerns that it may have been orchestrated by a state or transnational armed groups. Israeli media reports have suggested that Iran would be the leading suspect should a state
footprint be confirmed, while also examining possible links to groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or other organizations active in the region.
These suspicions arise against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between Australia and Iran. Canberra has previously designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as an entity supporting terrorism, based on intelligence assessments referring to attempts to plan attacks against Jewish targets within Australia. The Australian government had also taken stringent diplomatic measures in the past, including expelling the Iranian ambassador and suspending the operation of its embassy in Tehran.
Domestically, the attack has deeply shocked Australia’s Jewish community. Leibler voiced concern over the long-term repercussions of the incident, noting that fears of rising antisemitism already existed and could prompt some families to consider leaving the country. He described the attack as one of the deadliest assaults targeting Jews worldwide in recent years.
The incident is the most violent of its kind in Sydney since the 2014 Lindt Café siege, which remains vivid in Australia’s collective memory. Authorities confirmed that two police officers were among those injured while responding to the gunmen.
In concluding official reactions, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack in the strongest terms, affirming that his government will deploy all necessary resources to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure the safety of all citizens and residents, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
