ASIO reveals Iranian regime arson link to antisemitic bombings, foreign coercion in annual threat assessment

An Australian based in Iran and a former resident living in Iraq have been identified as the masterminds of antisemitic fire-bombings in Sydney and Melbourne, with ASIO also revealing multiple foreign regimes are conducting campaigns of “coerced repatriations”.

In a wide-ranging speech in Canberra, ASIO Director General Mike Burgess has detailed how his organisation foiled a foreign spy posing as a consultant from stealing AUKUS secrets by paying an official with a security clearance to provide reports on the project.

Delivering his annual threat assessment, delayed by several months because of December’s deadly Bondi terror attack, the ASIO boss began by acknowledging “the pain and grief of the families, friends and community of those killed and injured”.

He also counter-terrorism resourcing had increased when ASIO raised the threat level in 2024, and “continued to grow in the months before Bondi”, but cautioned he was limited in what he could say given the current Royal Commission and court case.

During his speech Mr Burgess revealed further details of ASIO’s investigations into arson attacks against Jewish buildings in Australia, and their connections to the Iranian regime.

“ASIO identified direct links between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp – the IRGC – and two individuals who were living offshore but maintained strong ties to Australia,” Mr Burgess said.

“Knowing full well they were being directed by the Iranian regime, these individuals orchestrated two attacks on buildings associated with Jewish Australians, using a complex chain of proxies including Australian-based criminals.”

Burgess has revealed an Iran-based Australian citizen orchestrated the firebombing of the Lewis Continental Kitchen in Bondi in October 2024, in what was the first major attack in the summer of antisemitism.

“This person is a senior agent of the IRGC Qods Force, running its networks around the world. We know more about him than he realises, including the name of his superior in Iran and the department he works for.”

The ASIO boss has also confirmed that a former Australian resident living in Iraq directed the December 2024 attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, after Iran recruited him through a complex web of Iraqi-based militia groups.

“Valuing his high wealth and criminal connections, the IRGC protected him and supported his illegal enterprises. That changed dramatically after ASIO publicly named Iran’s involvement in the arsons.”

“This person’s Iranian backers lost their enthusiasm, and after further pressure from Australian and local law enforcement, they threw him in prison,” Mr Burgess told an audience inside ASIO’s highly secure headquarters.

Foreign regimes targeting Australians with coerced repatriations

ASIO has also warned that “at least five regimes” are targeting Australians with campaigns of “coerced repatriations” including one unnamed country being “particularly active”.

In 2023 alone, that country coerced at least eight individuals to leave Australia for the place of their birth. Five were Australian citizens or permanent residents. Three never returned,” Mr Burgess said.

“Sometimes the pressure is applied indirectly. In these cases, the foreign service employs Australian private investigators, lawyers or other professionals to track down potential victims, monitor their movements and pass on threatening messages.”

Overseas spy tried to pay Australian official for AUKUS secrets

AUKUS continues to be a major focus for spies, with Mr Burgess confirming the massive submarine project with the US and UK remains a priority target for foreign intelligence services.

He also revealed details of a plot by one overseas spy who posing as a consultant tried to obtain secret information about the project, from an Australian official with a security clearance.

“My officers borrowed the official’s phone and rang the so-called consultant in her home country. Thinking it was her target, the spy picked up and got a very unwelcome surprise when she realised she was speaking to ASIO,” Mr Burgess said.