The Iranian regime has summoned Australia’s ambassador over the Albanese government’s “repeated biased positions” on the rapidly expanding Middle East conflict.
Anthony Albanese and his federal cabinet have repeatedly said Israel has the right to defend itself after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at the Jewish-majority state.
The Albanese government has also said it would not mourn senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures killed by Israel as it battles the Islamist groups in Lebanon and Gaza.
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, which has repeatedly called for the annihilation of Israel.
“In light of the repeated biased positions of the Australian government, which are contrary to the principles of international law regarding recent regional developments, (Ian) McConville, the Australian Ambassador to Tehran, was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Director General for Asia and Oceania of the ministry,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday (local time).
The ministry said the official who grilled Mr McConville “expressed strong objection to the unjustified and biased positions of the Australian government regarding regional developments and the adventurism of the Zionist regime in escalating regional tensions”.
The official “condemned Australia’s double standards” and “silence regarding the repeated aggressions of the Zionist regime against Gaza and Lebanon.”
The diplomatic action came on the eve of Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, which sparked the unrelenting Israeli campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Hezbollah, a terrorist group which controls southern Lebanon, began firing rockets across the border at civilian areas in northern Israel, forcing tens of thousands from their homes.
Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel last week after the Israeli military ramped up action against Hezbollah, killing most of its upper echelon, as well as embedded Iranian military officials.
Among those killed was Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s longtime leader.
This is not the first time the Australian ambassador has been summoned by the Iranian government.
Mr McConville was hauled up in September for a social media post Iranian state media said “promoted homosexuality”.
The post, shared on the Australian embassy’s official Instagram account, said the diplomatic outpost was “dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves”.
Source Agencies
