Iran's ambassador, leaving Sydney after expulsion, decries 'lies'

In this image taken from video, Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, is interviewed by a reporter at Sydney Airport as he prepares to leave Australia, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. - Channel 7 via AP

SYDNEY: Iran ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi, arriving at Sydney Airport before an expulsion deadline, on Thursday (Aug 28) rejected as "lies" Australia's accusation that Tehran had directed antisemitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia gave Sadeghi 72 hours on Tuesday to leave the country, the nation's first expulsion of an ambassador since World War Two. Three other Iranian embassy officials were given seven days to leave.