Australia Plans To Officially Label Iran’s IRGC A Terror Group

Highlights

• Australia to list Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organisation under new legislation.
• Bill closes legal gaps, allowing the designation of foreign state terrorism sponsors.
• ASIO linked the IRGC to anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
• This comes after Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador, and tensions between the countries increased.

Australia Takes Historic Legal Step to Counter State-Sponsored Terrorism

Australia has made a big move by introducing new legislation that would list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group. If it passes, it’ll be the first time Australia labels a foreign government body as a sponsor of terrorism. It fixes a major loophole in the current counterterrorism laws. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) reports say the IRGC was linked to anti-Semitic attacks in Australia, like the ones that happened in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024. The bill is designed to make Australia safer and prevent foreign groups from pressuring the country with threats or violence.

Legal Amendments Target State-Sponsored Terrorism

The new law, called the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025, empowers the Australian government to list and criminalise support for foreign government agencies or entities that plan, finance, or conduct terrorism within or against Australia. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that the bill sends a strong warning to hostile foreign groups and strengthens Australia’s security. The move comes because of concerns that the IRGC uses proxy groups to carry out dangerous attacks that could harm public safety and divide communities. If the bill passes, people linked to the IRGC would be blocked from entering Australia, putting more diplomatic and security pressure on Iran.

Diplomatic Fallout and International Context

Australia’s decision to list the IRGC brings it alongside countries like the US, Sweden, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, which already label the group as a terrorist organisation. This happened after Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador and closed its embassy in Tehran, showing how bad the relationship between the two countries has gotten. Experts say this could further strain things with Iran and even lead to a reaction, but many believe it’s still important for Australia’s security. It also supports global efforts to limit Iran’s terrorist activities, alongside ongoing broader diplomatic and security initiatives.​

FAQs

Q: Why is Australia listing the IRGC as a terror group
A: Because​ of reports suggesting the IRG‌C was i⁠n‍vo​lved in attacks in Australia an​d its acti‍v​ities in other countr​i​es.

Q: What‌ does the legislation d‌o?
A: It makes it ill​ega‍l to support⁠ fo‍rei​gn g‍o‌ver⁠nment gr‌oups that back ter‌roris‍m and blocks people li​nked to⁠ them from entering Australia.

Q: How will this affect Australia-Iran relations?
A: It will significantly worsen diplomatic ties and increase tensions between the two nations.

Q‍: Which other cou​ntries ha​ve lis⁠ted‍ the IRGC?
A: Countries like the United States, Sweden, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, along with several others, have already labelled the IRGC a terrorist group.

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