Australia lists IRGC as state sponsor of terrorism

On Thursday, 28 November, the Australian Government officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism, marking the first listing under newly passed counter-terrorism legislation.

The decision follows an assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation that the IRGC orchestrated attacks on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the attacks as “unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil. Iran’s attacks were unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, which is why we are listing the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Senator Wong said. “It has no place in Australia. The Albanese Government has taken stronger action on Iran than any previous Australian government and will continue to work to keep Australians safe.”

The listing makes it a criminal offence to direct activities of, be a member of, associate with, recruit for, train with, provide funds to, or support the IRGC, with penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment.

The designation came after Parliament passed the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025, which creates a new framework allowing the government to respond to state-sponsored terrorism.

Government Ministers Speak Out

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the listing was in direct response to Iran’s actions on Australian soil.

“Listing of the IRGC is in direct response to the despicable actions of the Iranian Government, and further empowers our police, security, and intelligence agencies to stamp out hatred and violence,” Mr Burke said. The Australian Government is committed to keeping Australians safe and restricting the operation of extremists in our country, no matter their place of origin.

“All Australians deserve to feel safe, welcome and at home; it is this view that underpinned the legislative changes which have enabled the listing of the IRGC. The Australian Government will continue to pursue all avenues to combat bigotry, including antisemitism.”

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland emphasised the government’s swift action in creating the legislative framework.

“The Government is committed to ensuring our counter-terrorism laws are robust and as effective as possible,” Ms Rowland said. “That’s why we acted swiftly and decisively to pass legislation to enable the listing of foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism.

“These reforms make it more difficult, more risky, and more costly for malicious foreign actors to seek to cause Australia and our community harm.”

Under the new laws, anyone who directs activities of, becomes a member of, associates with, recruits for, trains with, provides funds to, or supports the IRGC faces penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment.

Attacks on the Jewish Community

In the early hours of December 6, 2024, two masked individuals entered the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Video evidence captured them using an axe to damage the entrance, pouring accelerant from red jerrycans inside the building, and igniting the liquid. The fire caused approximately over $20 million in property damages, with repairs later partially funded by the government.

The Lewis’ Continental Kitchen attack in Bondi occurred on October 20 at 2:30 a.m., when arsonists broke through the rear entrance, poured fuel across the premises, and ignited a blaze, causing more than $1 million in damage.

In the government’s media release, the ministers described these as “cowardly attacks on Australian soil” that “were designed to undermine and sow division in our multicultural society by targeting Jewish Australians to inflict harm and stoke fear.”

In August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expelled Iran’s ambassador to Australia along with three other officials, giving them seven days to leave the country.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess revealed at the time that the IRGC used a complex web of proxies to hide its involvement, creating what he called a layered system of intermediaries between the IRGC and alleged perpetrators.

Community Response

Writing on Instagram, AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein welcomed the government’s swift action. “We commend the government for first amending the Criminal Code and then designating the IRGC under the new framework it created within the span of a few weeks.”

“Australia has at long last joined the United States and Canada in taking a principled stand against the IRGC’s transnational terrorism against Jews, dissidents and political officials,” Dr Rubenstein said.

ECAJ President Daniel Aghion stated the government’s action was a clear statement that Australia will not allow violent extremism and foreign interference to endanger its citizens or undermine its democracy.

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler welcomed the listing of the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism. “The attacks orchestrated by Iran were designed not only to terrorise the Australian Jewish community, but to damage the very fabric of Australian society and send shockwaves throughout the world,” Mr Leibler said.

“The revelations about Iran realised our worst fears and suspicions; that we are not immune from the violence of foreign actors. The listing of the IRGC is a necessary step to ensure that terrorism is not given a foothold on Australian soil.”

Mr Leibler also called on Parliament to take seriously the threat of other extremist groups, stating: “Now is the right time for our Parliament to take seriously the threat of other extremist groups, like Hizb ut-Tahrir. If we have learned anything from the IRGC-sponsored terrorist attacks on Australian soil, we must be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to the safety of not only the Jewish community, but all Australians.”

In August, Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, welcomed the designation, stating that Iran’s regime is not only a threat to Jews or Israel but also endangers the entire free world, including Australia.

International Context

The measure brings Australia into closer alignment with allies including the United States and Canada, both of which have already listed the IRGC. The United States designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2019.

Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad last month named Sardar Amar as the IRGC commander responsible for the Australian attacks. Mossad identified Amar as a senior commander within the Quds Force, the IRGC’s covert overseas arm, working directly under Quds Force chief Esmail Ghaani. According to Mossad, Amar headed Unit 11,000 and established a significant mechanism to promote attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.

The government’s statement noted that “listing the IRGC is an important deterrent and disruption to terrorist activity and puts members of the public on notice that the IRGC is a state sponsor of terrorism under Australian law.”

The public can provide information to assist security and law enforcement agencies by calling the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.