Iran Summons Australian Ambassador Over ‘Biased’ Stance on Israel Missile Strikes

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Australian Ambassador Ian McConville on Sunday, criticizing what it called Australia’s biased stance on Iran’s recent missile strikes against Israel. According to Iranian state news agency Tasnim, Tehran took issue with Australia’s condemnation of its actions following the missile attack.

The missile strikes on Tuesday, launched in retaliation for the killing of several leaders of Iran-aligned groups, escalated tensions between Iran and Israel. Israel has vowed to respond to the attack.

Tehran justified the missile strikes as a response to the actions of “the Zionist regime,” its term for Israel, while accusing Australia of taking a biased position. The Iranian government summoned McConville to express its dissatisfaction with Canberra’s public stance on the matter.

In response, Australia defended its criticism. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australia “makes no apology for the views it has expressed about Iran’s actions or the actions of its ambassador to Australia.” The country had condemned Iran’s missile strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further violence.