The Digester

Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran's charge d’affaires in Canberra until early 2023, has been granted asylum in Australia after applying in 2023, a government source confirmed as several members of Iran's women's football team received humanitarian visas.

Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran's charge d’affaires in Canberra until at least early 2023, applied for and has been granted asylum in Australia.
He had been in Australia since 2018 but did not seek protection until 2023, a government source confirmed.
Pournajaf previously served as Iran's ambassador to Zimbabwe and as a representative to the United Nations.
Australian officials said his defection is not related to the current conflict.
The case surfaced as Australia offered humanitarian visas to members of Iran's women's football squad, with seven initially granted visas and one later declining, leaving six under protection.
ASIO has said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps planned and funded two antisemitic arson attacks in 2024, a claim that prompted earlier diplomatic expulsions and denials from Tehran.

Former Iranian charge d’affaires in Australia granted asylum

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