Iran Summons Australian Chargé d'Affaires Following New Sanctions

In response to targeted sanctions imposed by the Australian government against several officials and entities of the Islamic Republic, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Australian chargé d'affaires in Tehran on Wednesday, May 15. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, the head of the Fourth Asia and Oceania Department of the Foreign Ministry conveyed Iran's 'strong protest' to the chargé d'affaires, stating that the country reserves the 'right to retaliate.' The summoning of the Australian chargé d'affaires occurred after the Australian government imposed targeted sanctions on five Iranian individuals and three other entities, labeling the Islamic Republic's actions as 'destabilizing.' Among those listed in the new Australian sanctions are Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Iran's Minister of Defense; Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Gholamali Rashid, commander of the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya; Amir Hatami, advisor to the Supreme Commander and former Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support; and Mehdi Ghodratiyan, CEO of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA). Australia has sanctioned several senior commanders of the IRGC and its Navy. According to the Australian Foreign Ministry, the IRGC Navy, the Dama company (designing and manufacturing aircraft engines), and the Technological Communication Industry Company (manufacturers of missile guidance systems) have also been sanctioned. Recently, the IRGC Navy seized a civilian ship linked to Israel (flying the Portuguese flag) in international waters. Australia has continued to demand the immediate release of the ship and its crew. IRNA reported that the Australian government imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic in response to Iran's 'promised operation and legitimate defense' against Israel following the latter's attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus. In recent months, there have been repeated attacks attributed to Israel on Iranian positions in Syria, culminating in the April 2 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. In this attack, seven senior IRGC officers were killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Quds Force. In retaliation for this attack, Iran launched an unprecedented strike with hundreds of drones and missiles into Israeli territory on April 15, which experts say marked the beginning of an open war between the two countries and increased regional tensions. The Australian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the country would continue to pressure Iran to cease the 'destructive' activities of its government and adhere to international laws.