Australian news and politics live: Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi seen departing Canberra after expulsion

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says there was no evidence the individuals behind two anti-Semitic attacks in Australia were aware the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was directing them.

Mr Burke stressed he would not go beyond the statements made on Tuesday by ASIO chief Mike Burgess.

“‘Cut-outs’ is a term used in the intelligence community that refers to intermediaries who are there to effectively make sure that, as you go down the chain, people don’t realise who was higher up in the chain. That’s the nature of what ‘cut-outs’ are,” he told ABC News Breakfast.

“The language from the director-general yesterday was very deliberate. We have no reason to believe that the people who were actually conducting the actions had any idea who had started it.”

A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry has warned that “any inappropriate and unjustified action at the diplomatic level” by Australia “will result in a reciprocal reaction.”

They’ve “absolutely rejected” Iran had anything to do with the attacks during a weekly press conference.

The remarks followed a pointed social media post by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who branded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a “weak politician,” repeating an earlier insult made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying Australia “rejects” Iran’s denial of involvement in a string of anti-Semitic attacks across the country.

“We have faith in the assessment that has been provided to us, and that’s why we’ve taken the unprecedented action,” Senator Wong told ABC Radio National on Wednesday morning.

“To have a foreign country engage in these sorts of violent activities, orchestrate them in our country, is unacceptable.”

When pressed on whether Australia should be concerned about possible retalation she described the Iranian regime as “capable of agression and violence”.

“We took steps before this was made public, to remove all Australian personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Tehran, and we did so because our first priority is to keep our people safe,” she said.

A heavily armed man remains on the run in dense bushland after killing two police officers in a “cold-blooded” shooting ambush.

The rural Victorian town of Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne, has spent the night in lockdown as police threw every available resource at tracking down the fugitive who killed two of their own and seriously injured a third.

Ten officers were met with gunfire as they attended a property on Rayner Track in Porepunkah on Tuesday morning to execute a search warrant.

A 59-year-old detective and a 35-year-old senior constable were shot dead while another detective was seriously injured and underwent surgery.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his heart goes out to “ all who are hurting” following the deaths of two Victorian police officers, while a manhunt continues for the suspected gunman.

“All Australians are mourning with the families, loved ones and colleagues of the two Victoria Police officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty,” Mr Albanese posted on X.

“Our nation’s condolences are with everyone whose world has been shattered by this horrific shooting.

“While we can only begin to imagine their grief, our hearts go out to all who are hurting.

“Today’s terrible loss reminds us of the risks police take each day to protect us, and of the gratitude we owe them for their service.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has dismissed accusations that Tehran directed anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne, while also labelling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a “weak” politician, echoing a similar rebuke made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

“I am not in the habit of joining causes with wanted War Criminals, but Netanyahu is right about one thing: Australia’s PM is indeed a ‘weak politician’,” Mr Araghchi wrote on X.

“Iran is home to among the world’s oldest Jewish communities including dozens of synagogues. Accusing Iran of attacking such sites in Australia while we do our utmost to protect them in our own country makes zero sense.

“Iran is paying the price for the Australian people’s support for Palestine. Canberra should know better than to attempt to appease a regime led by War Criminals. Doing so will only embolden Netanyahu and his ilk.”