The Israeli Government has identified a senior Iranian official, Sardar Amar, as the mastermind behind recent thwarted attack plots targeting Jewish sites in Europe and Australia. In a joint statement released by Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, and the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, officials detailed Amar’s role as a high-ranking commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Israel’s assertion comes in the wake of intensified Iranian efforts to target Israeli and Jewish interests globally, a trend that has reportedly escalated since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The statement emphasized that attempted attacks in countries such as Germany, Greece, and Australia had been successfully disrupted over the past two years, thanks to the intervention of Mossad.
Details of the Allegations
Under Amar’s leadership, a significant operational mechanism was allegedly established to facilitate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets both domestically and internationally. The statement indicated that this mechanism has been directly linked to the thwarted attacks in Greece, Australia, and Germany within the last year alone. It noted that the numerous failures of these plots led to a wave of arrests that ultimately exposed the network.
In Australia, the government expelled Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi in August 2023, following claims from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) of credible evidence suggesting the IRGC orchestrated at least two attacks on Jewish premises through connections with local criminal groups. Notably, the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed in December 2024, resulting in significant damage and injuries to a worshipper. Additionally, the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a kosher deli in Sydney, was attacked in October 2023.
International Response and Reactions
In June, German prosecutors revealed that a 53-year-old Danish citizen of Afghan descent was suspected of conducting surveillance on Jewish individuals and institutions in Berlin on behalf of Iranian intelligence. This individual was later arrested in Aarhus, Denmark, with authorities suggesting that the surveillance could have been preparatory work for future attacks.
Iranian authorities have rejected the allegations concerning their involvement in the incidents in both Australia and Germany, labeling them as unfounded. The Iranian embassy in Berlin characterized the claims as part of a broader campaign intended to deflect attention from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The situation remains tense, with international implications as various governments assess their security measures in the wake of these revelations. As investigations continue, the focus remains on preventing further acts of violence and ensuring the safety of Jewish communities worldwide.
