Iran’s most senior official in Australia has been condemned by the government after posting a series of chilling tweets calling for ‘an end’ to Israel in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
On December 2, Ahmad Sadeghi, who took on the role of the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to Australia in July this year, called on ‘humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine’ – in an apparent reference to Israel.
Mr Sadeghi also called Israel the ‘most notorious killer of children in the world’, shared a photo of an alleged dead Palestinian baby and dubbed the Jewish state a ‘faucet for occupation, ethnic cleansing and a real holocaust against [Palestinian] civilians’.
Several local Jewish leaders said they were shocked at what they described as the brazen disregard for Australia’s multicultural community displayed in the comments.
Liberal Senator Claire Chandler said ‘it is absolutely unacceptable to have a foreign official in Australia actively promoting this evil ideology’.
‘This is extremely disturbing antisemitic content being actively promoted by the most senior official of the IRI (Islamic Republic of Iran) regime in Australia.
‘We know that the IRI regime has genocidal intentions towards Israel and funds terrorist groups including Hamas to kill and injure Jews and Israelis.’
Ahmad Sadeghi took on the posting in July 2023 and is Iran’s most senior diplomat in Australia. He is pictured here with former NSW Premier Bob Carr
There are also disturbing calls for ‘humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine in current world history’
Among the comments – posted on Mr Sadeghi’s official X account – were calls for ‘humanity to put an end to the heinous life of the most notorious killing machine in current world history’.
Mr Sadeghi said there was ‘no alternative’ to his suggestion and he hoped for a ‘world short of (an Israeli) aparthead regime).
Mr Sadeghi established the X account at the beginning of his tenure in July.
What initially began as a place to share posed pictures alongside fellow diplomats and international delegates has descended into an increasingly polarising account featuring pictures of what appear to be deceased children and criticisms of Israel.
In spite of the increasingly hostile nature of his posts, Mr Sadeghi has also shared details of recent events he’s attended alongside ANU students and faculty members, where they joined to ‘vividly condemn the apartheid regime’.
When Daily Mail Australia approached Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong for a comment, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade slammed the comments.
A spokesperson for DFAT said: ‘We condemn the Ambassador’s comments. As the Foreign Minister has said, there is no place for antisemitism in Australia.
Among the comments – posted on his official X account – are allegations that Israel is ‘the most notorious killer of children in the world’, a ‘war criminal’ state and a ‘faucet for occupation, ethnic cleansing and a real holocaust against [Palestinian] civilians’
‘The Australian Government expects all diplomats in Australia to be respectful and constructive in the way they engage in Australia.’
The spokesperson said every person is entitled to ‘live their lives free from fear and intimidation’.
There has been pressure for the government to come down harder on the Islamic Republic of Iran on the back of reported examples of intimidation tactics and threats made against Australians, and claims that Iran is funding Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
But Daily Mail Australia understands the Federal government considers it paramount to the national interest to maintain open lines of communication with Iran as global tensions rise.
Australia has had an embassy in Tehran in Iran since 1968, and Tehran has had a base in Canberra since 1971.
But tensions between Iran and western nations have been escalating of late, as stories of increased violence and espionage emerge.
Pro-Palestinian protestors gather to march the CBD streets in Sydney amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza
Jewish leaders have been speaking out about increased anti-semitism in Australia
READ MORE: ASIO’s incredible warning about foreign interference in Australia
Iran denies it has been funding Hamas, despite evidence to suggest it has trained, armed, funded, and offered intelligence to the terrorist organisation for decades.
The late MP Peta Murphy, the Co-Chair of the Australian Committee of Democracy Supporters in Iran, recently said: ‘The government in Iran is deeply involved in this situation through its financing and arming of its terrorist proxy forces in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
‘And it’s misusing its interpretation of Islam to justify its creation of instability, war, and destruction in the region.’
Jewish leaders, speaking to Daily Mail Australia on the condition of anonymity, expressed fears about the language used in Mr Sadeghi’s remarks.
The Iranian Embassy defended Mr Sadeghi’s comments in a statement on Friday afternoon, insisting they are ‘in line with Islamic Republic of Iran’s policy positions calling for Palestinians (either Muslims, Jews or Christians) to define their nation’s destiny via the democratic and non-violent way of one person-one vote in a referendum’.
‘Therefore, nothing remains as a cause or reason for fear of Jewish people anywhere in the world.’
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking a conflict which has now stretched on for two months
The ANU noted the event some students and faculty attended this week with Mr Sadeghi was a ‘student led event, not organised by the University’.
‘ANU is a place of respectful debate. We don’t condone any speech which is discriminatory or goes against Australian law or our code of conduct,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The views expressed in these comments are the ambassador’s and are for him to respond to. The University has no oversight of the social media channels of private individuals or foreign diplomats.’
It comes just two weeks after Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, visited Australia and said he feels a ‘particular threat’ here.
‘There is a consistent threat posed by the Iranian regime or the agents of the Iranian regime. In Australia, I feel a particular threat,’ he said.
‘Many individuals have come up to me and said that several people have threatened them directly or indirectly. They could be members of the regime or their sympathisers. There is a greater preponderance of threats, which people have reported to me during my visit here.’
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Mr Sadeghi personally or in his work for the Iranian regime.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk