‘Destabilising Behaviour’: Australia Sanctions Iran Officials Amid Middle East Conflict

Photographers film the remains of a missile that landed on the shore of the Dead Sea, a week after the missile barrage fired by Iran on April 13, on April 21, 2024. Iran on April 13 launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in a late night attack that caused little damage after most of the projectiles were intercepted. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

The Australian government has imposed sanctions on senior Iran officials amid the conflict in the Middle East pointing to its “destabilising behaviour.”

In total, the federal government has now sanctioned 90 individuals and 100 entities with links to Iran.

The sanctioned individuals include Iran Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force commander, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps malignant actor that has long been a threat to international security, and to its own people,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, who seized an Israeli-linked, Portuguese-flagged civilian vessel in international waters on April 13 has also been criticised.

“Australia continues to call for the immediate release of the ship and its crew,” Ms. Wong added.

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The foreign minister said Australia would continue to “deliberately and strategically” apply pressure to Iran to cease its “disruptive activities.”

“Those sanctioned also include Iranian senior officials, businesspeople, and companies that have contributed to the development of Iran’s missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programs,” Ms. Wong said.

“Iran’s proliferation and provision of these technologies to its proxies has fostered instability across the region for many years.”

In April, the United states and allies imposed sanctions on Iran following the unprecedented air attack against Israel.

The sanctions were targeted at Tehran’s missile and drone program, and entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Defense Ministry.

“In addition, we continue to work through the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense, and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in April.

On April 19, Iran launched a missile and drone attack against Israel. In response, Israel launched retaliatory strikes, prompting the Australian government to urge all parties to exercise restraint and step back.

Countries Not Onboard With Iran Sanctions

On April 25, the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned one dozen entities, individuals and vessels that have financed and facilitated the sale of Iranian UAVs to Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics.

The U.S. government said thousands of UAVs have been transferred to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.

“Concurrent with this action, the United Kingdom and Canada are imposing sanctions targeting several entities and invidiuals involved in Iran’s UAV procurement and other military related activities,” the U.S. Treasury Department said.

In response, Malaysia revealed it would not recognise sanctions imposed by the United States or other countries, amid claims Iran is relying on Malaysia to sell U.S. sanctioned oil.

Following a meeting with the U.S. Treasury, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail advised he would only recognise sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

“I emphasized that we will only recognize sanctions if they are imposed by the United Nations Security Council,” he told reporters. “We don’t recognize any sanctions imposed by an individual country.”

Meanwhile, sanctioned Iranian oil is also being offloaded to China via third parties, in a rebuke of U.S. sanctions, according to reports.

India is also working with Iran on a contract to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar to transport goods easily to Iran, Afghanistan, and other Central Asian countries.

Labor Government Backs Palestinian UN Membership

Australia’s Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham has raised concerns that Australia’s decision to support a U.N. resolution supporting Palestinian membership would be welcomed by Iran.

The decision by the Labor government has put Australia at odds with allies the United States and Israel, who voted against the U.N. General Assembly motion on May 10.

“Hamas might be committed to the destruction of the state of Israel, but rest assured they, Iran and others will see this change in position of Australia, led by the Albanese government and the U.N. vote, as another step towards what they want to see in terms of the way the international community responds,” Mr. Birmingham told Sky News on May 13. 

“Because it’s an isolation of Israel. It is putting Israel back in a harder, more difficult position.”

The U.N. resolution (pdf) did not mention Hamas or hostages, and stressed that Palestine is fully qualified for membership of the United Nations.

However, the vote does not provide Palestinian with U.N. membership because that would require the support of the 15-member U.N. Security Council.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended Australia’s decision, saying the resolution was considered on its merits.

“Hamas does not want two states. Hamas is a terrorist organisation dedicated to the destruction of Israel and of the Jewish people. That is why they are condemned, and they must be condemned. This is a resolution that looks to seeking two states to enable security for both peoples,” Ms. Wong said.