Former Iranian Diplomat Granted Asylum in Australia After Defecting
Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran's former charge d'affaires in Canberra, sought protection in Australia in 2023 and has since been granted asylum, according to a government source. The revelations emerged this week following reports that six members of the Iranian women's football squad were also granted protection in the country.
Defection Details and Background
London-based news outlet Iran International, which operates independently from the Islamic Republic's regime, reported on Friday that Pournajaf had applied for asylum. The outlet also noted that another Iranian diplomat had sought asylum in Denmark. Guardian Australia has verified with a government source that Pournajaf had been in Australia since 2018 but did not seek protection until 2023.
Pournajaf remained the embassy's charge d'affaires until at least early 2023. During his tenure, he hosted the 44th anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution, where he reportedly praised the regime's achievements. Prior to his role in Australia, he served as Iran's ambassador to Zimbabwe and as a representative to the United Nations.
No Link to Current Conflict
The government source clarified that the former diplomat's defection is not related to the current geopolitical conflicts involving Iran. This comes amid heightened tensions following recent antisemitic incidents in Australia.
Context of Diplomatic Expulsions
Iran's most recent former ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, was expelled along with other diplomats and embassy staff in August last year. The Albanese government accused Tehran of being behind two antisemitic arson attacks. Sadeghi has denied these allegations, describing them as "baseless," and there were no accusations against current Iranian diplomats or embassy staff.
Asio stated it had "credible intelligence" that Iran's paramilitary wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was ultimately responsible for two attacks in 2024: one on Lewis's Continental Kitchen in Bondi and another on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. No injuries were reported in either incident. Asio indicated the IRGC planned and funded the attacks through intermediaries, including organised crime figures, and suggested Iran was likely behind more antisemitic attacks on Australian soil.
Related Humanitarian Cases
In a separate development, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed on Thursday that a total of seven members of the Iranian women's football squad were granted humanitarian visas in Australia, though one later changed her mind. The group, who received temporary humanitarian visas offering a pathway to permanent residency, have already been offered training opportunities with A-League Women club Brisbane Roar.
The remainder of the travelling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after flying out from Sydney, as shown in Agence France-Presse photos from Kuala Lumpur international airport.
