EDITORIAL: Action on Iran is not the end of the story

So our spymasters cracked the case and uncovered who was pulling the strings in two anti-Semitic arson attacks on Australian soil.

While they were disguised as criminal firebombings, the attacks were orchestrated by Iran.

The intelligence agencies presented the Government on Monday with evidence that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the attacks on Bondi kosher caterer Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in October 2024, and the Adass Synagogue in Melbourne in December that year.

The agencies uncovered chains of intermediaries and proxies, including some with organised crime links, in multiple countries that were directing the attacks, which ASIO boss Mike Burgess described as “a layer cake of cut-outs”.

“The IRGC are directing through a series of cut-outs, people in Australia to undertake the crimes,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a “deeply disturbing conclusion” and expelled Iran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, recalled Australian diplomats and will list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

The IRGC answers directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader and backs terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

But it would be too easy to just sit back and say that’s it then. Job done. Nothing to see here. Time to move on.

Not so fast. For starters let’s not forget that it is believed that Iran was likely to have directed other attacks as well. These will need to be investigated fully and relentlessly, and further action taken if the results confirm the suspicions.

And Mr Sadeghi’s response was also telling. Not for him hiding inside or covering his face. Instead, he was photographed at his Canberra residence, telling reporters: “I love Australian people,” before adding: “Bye bye.”

And the look of smugness on his face tells us that he will probably be greeted warmly back in Iran. Showered with praise. Given a hero’s welcome. After all, the pro-Palestine lobby in Australia has been relentless in its campaign.

So much so that this month it was revealed that Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The announcement sparked accusations that the Government had abandoned a bipartisan position of how to work towards a two-state solution in favour of a symbolic move that would change nothing on the ground in Gaza.

And the chants of “from the river to the sea” continue to ring out, seemingly without those who chant it thinking through the ramifications of such an outcome.

Iran and its proxies will feel that despite this week they are still in front in their mission to destabilise Australia and the left-leaning West as part of it’s obsession with the obliteration of Israel.

And the parade of Palestine supporters will only serve to give comfort to the anti-Semitism that was once unthinkable in this country.

The bottom line is there are still hostages underground in Gaza. Remember them? There remains much to do to try to reverse this folly.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by Editor-in-Chief Christopher Dore.