Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Iran’s supreme leader “will not be mourned”, after Iranian state media confirmed Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Fronting reporters in Sydney following a snap meeting of the National Security Committee, Mr Albanese reiterated Australia’s support for “the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime”.
“Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei was responsible for the regime’s nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal violence and intimidation against its own people,” he said.
“This claimed countless lives in Iran but also internationally. He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil.
“His passing will not be mourned.”
Iranian state media announced 40 days of mourning for the long-time cleric, who had ruled since 1989. No successor has been named, and authorities described his death only as the result of a “cowardly attack”. Government-controlled outlets also reported that members of his immediate family, including his daughter, son-in-law and a grandchild, were killed.
Videos circulating on social media on Saturday afternoon (AEDT) showed a towering plume of smoke above Tehran, with reports emerging that Mr Khamenei’s compound had been targeted.
US President Donald Trump declared the cleric “dead” hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “is no more”.
In a social media post, Mr Trump described Mr Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in History” and said his death presented “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country”.
“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” he wrote.
He added that “heavy and pinpoint bombing … will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
The strikes followed weeks of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, with the Trump administration demanding Iran halt all uranium enrichment, surrender enriched stockpiles and dismantle centrifuges capable of rapid weapons-grade production. The US had also called for limits to Iran’s long-range missile program and an end to support for regional proxies including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
In Australia, leaders from affected communities reacted swiftly.
Suren Edgar, vice president of the Australian Iranian Community Alliance, said many in the diaspora would feel “a sense of relief”.
“The confirmed death of Ali Khamenei marks the end of an era defined by repression, executions, censorship, and systemic violence against the Iranian people,” he said.
“For millions of Iranians, this moment brings a sense of relief.
“He was not just a political figure. He was the ultimate authority behind crackdowns, the silencing of women, the imprisonment of journalists, and the killing of protesters.”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry also welcomed the development. Its president, Daniel Aghion, described the need for military intervention as regrettable but “unavoidable”.
“The Iranian Government is a murderous regime,” he said.
“It has attacked synagogues and Jewish targets in Australia and around the world. It funds terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. It massacres its own civilians.”
Mr Albanese noted Australia had “not been immune from the impact of the regime’s actions”, pointing to alleged foreign interference and antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024 that authorities attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In response, the Albanese government expelled Iran’s ambassador, imposed sanctions on hundreds of individuals and formally listed the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism.
“While we aren’t directly active in the current military strikes, we have been clear and acted on our utter rejection of the brutal Iranian regime,” the Prime Minister said.
He reiterated that Canberra had “long recognised that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security” and had repeatedly called on Tehran to uphold the human rights of its citizens.
“Sadly, these calls have gone unheeded and action has now been taken,” he said.
“We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security.
“We are concerned about regional escalation and urge the protection of civilians.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the “theocratic Iranian regime is authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent”.
“It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis – and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” he posted.
Nationals leader David Littleproud backed the Prime Minister’s response, telling Nine’s Today the regime had “played a role in the anti-Semitism that’s been on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne”.
“So it’s important we understand this regime is about trying to destroy our way of life,” he said.
Australian officials are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving situation, with Mr Albanese confirming Canberra remains in contact with Washington.
“We want to see, when it comes to military action, I think as always, Australia always supports diplomatic action where possible, and we hope that the actions that have been taken lead to a swift resolution,” he said.
Images: Sky News
