Australia – SBS, Sept. 04, 2025
Experts warn the Australian government’s decision to expel Iran’s ambassador and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation could throw a ‘spanner in the works’ for an Australian citizen detained in Iran.
Concerns are growing for Australian citizens in Iran, following a major breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries last month, especially for one person, who SBS News understands has been imprisoned since 2022.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert, director of the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Detention Alliance (AWADA), says she is very worried about “at least one, probably more Australian citizens in prison” in Iran, who need the help of Australian diplomats.
“I’m very worried about this Australian citizen. I know that they were talking … Iran and Australia were engaging with one another about that person’s situation,” she tells SBS News.
“I’m very worried that now [that the person] doesn’t have any consular assistance … what will happen to any efforts that might be underway to secure [their] freedom if there is no embassy.”
Last week, Australia suspended all operations in its embassy in Tehran and relocated diplomats to a third country.
It followed the Labor government’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared Iran directed two attacks against the Jewish community in Melbourne and Sydney. The Australian government will also legislate to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a key branch of Iran’s military, as a terrorist organisation.
The move has been largely welcomed by the Iranian Australian community, who have called for the IRGC’s designation for years. But the fate of one dual citizen now hangs in the balance.
