Iran’s Revolutionary Guard listed as state sponsor of terrorism

The Australian Government has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism following intelligence assessments that the Iranian military force orchestrated attacks on Jewish community sites in Sydney and Melbourne.

Foreign minister Penny Wong announced on Thursday that the IRGC was the first entity listed under new legislation creating a framework to respond to state-sponsored terrorism.

“Iran’s attacks were unprecedented and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, which is why we are listing the IRCG as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Wong said.

“The Albanese Government has taken stronger action on Iran than any previous Australian government and will continue to work to keep Australians safe.”

The listing follows ASIO’s assessment that the IRGC orchestrated the October 2024 attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney and the December 2024 arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

Home affairs minister Tony Burke described the attacks as “cowardly” and “designed to undermine and sow division in our multicultural society, by targeting Jewish Australians to inflict harm and stoke fear”.

“Listing of the IRGC is in direct response to the despicable actions of the Iranian Government, and further empowers our police, security, and intelligence agencies to stamp out hatred and violence,” Burke said.

The government passed the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025 to enable the listing. Under the legislation, it is now a criminal offence to direct the activities of, be a member of, associate with members of, recruit for, train with, get funds to or from, or provide support to a state sponsor of terrorism.

Offences are punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment.

Home affairs minister Burke said the listing decision was based on advice from Australian Government intelligence, security and policy agencies, and that the IRGC met the criteria under Division 110 of the Criminal Code.

Attorney-general Michelle Rowland said the government had “acted swiftly and decisively” to pass legislation enabling the listing.

“These reforms make it more difficult, more risky, and more costly for malicious foreign actors to seek to cause Australia and our community harm,” Rowland said.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler welcomed the listing, saying the attacks were designed “not only to terrorise the Australian Jewish community, but to damage the very fabric of Australian society and send shockwaves throughout the world”.

“The revelations about Iran realised our worst fears and suspicions; that we are not immune from the violence of foreign actors,” Leibler said.

“The listing of the IRGC is a necessary step to ensure that terrorism is not given a foothold on Australian soil.”

Leibler called on parliament to address other extremist groups including Hizb ut-Tahrir.

“If we have learned anything from the IRGC-sponsored terrorist attacks on Australian soil, we must be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to the safety of not only the Jewish community, but all Australians,” he said.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) also welcomed the listing. “We commend the Government for first amending the Criminal Code and then designating the IRGC under the new framework it created within the span of a few weeks,” AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein said.

“Australia has at long last joined the United States and Canada in taking a principled stand against the IRGC’s transnational terrorism against Jews, dissidents and political officials. AIJAC sincerely hopes Australia’s move will inspire other allies and partners to follow suit and list the IRGC under their respective existing laws or amend them accordingly if needed.”