Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned Iran's envoy to Australia over controversial social media posts mourning the death of Hezbollah's senior leader, as the Coalition calls to have the senior diplomat expelled from the country.
Iran's ambassador to Australia Ahmad Sadeghi described Hassan Nasrallah as "blessed martyr" and "remarkable leader" in a post on X after the head of the Lebanese militant group was killed by an Israeli airstrike last week.
In response, the federal opposition has called on Australia to break diplomatic ties with Iran and remove Mr Sadeghi from his post. Liberal Leader Peter Dutton told reporters on Friday his comments were "at odds" with the national interest.
A spokesperson for Senator Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government condemns any support for listed terrorist organisations.
"We condemn the Ambassador's comments," they said.
"Australia has maintained a diplomatic relationship with Iran continuously since 1968 not because we agree - but because it is in our national interest to do so."
Mr Sadeghi was pulled in for talks with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials in August after he called for a "wiping out" of Israelis in Palestine by 2027, while also referring to Israelis as a "Zionist plague"
A renewed political dispute over Mr Sadeghi's recent comments come ahead of planned rallies and vigils to be held across the country to mark October 7.
The ACT police have issued warnings to protesters planning to march outside of Parliament House on October 8 that they could be prosecuted under new hate symbol laws if they are seen waving Hezbollah or Hamas flags.
The Canberra Times has sought comment from the ambassador and the Iranian embassy.
