For the latest Australian Government travel advice for Iran, please visit the Smartraveller website.
Overview – bilateral relations
Australia and Iran maintain diplomatic relations.
On 26 August 2025, Australia expelled the Iranian Ambassador following an assessment by Australian intelligence services that the Iranian government had covertly directed attacks against Australia's Jewish community. Australia also suspended the operations of our Embassy in Tehran, which we opened in 1968. The Iranian Embassy in Canberra, which opened in 1971, remains operational under a chargé d'affaires.
We continue to engage Iran in dialogue on a range of important issues, including regional stability, human rights, immigration and consular matters.
Political overview
The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed Iran – abolishing the monarchy and establishing an Islamic Republic. Iran's political system now comprises both elected and unelected institutions, though election processes have strong anti-democratic elements. The Supreme Leader is Iran's highest political authority and is chosen by the Assembly of Experts – a body of 88 clerics (elected on a regional basis). The President, the unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (or Majlis), and municipal councils are elected every four years on the basis of universal suffrage. Electoral candidates are vetted by the Guardian Council, which consists of six clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader, and six legal figures appointed by the Head of the Judiciary and approved by the Majlis.
The Supreme Leader is responsible for choosing the Head of the Judiciary, setting general state policy, declaring war and peace, commanding the armed forces (including appointment of commanders and control of intelligence and security agencies) and holds the authority to initiate changes to the Iranian Constitution. Iran's second and current Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, assumed the role in 1989, succeeding the 'father' of the 1979 revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini.
The Majlis has the power to initiate bills but the Guardian Council must approve all bills passed by the Majlis, consistent with Islamic law and the Iranian Constitution.
On 5 July 2024, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian was elected President in a snap election to replace former President Ebrahim Raisi (who, along with former Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, died in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024). On 21 August 2024, Iran's parliament approved President Pezeshkian's cabinet appointments. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
United Nations Sanctions Against Iran's Nuclear Program
In 2015, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted UNSC Resolution 2231 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This allowed the UNSC to have oversight of Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief as long as certain conditions (such as access for the International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA) were met. The resolution also contained a mechanism through which the suspended sanctions against Iran could be 'snapped back' into effect if Iran failed to comply with its nuclear obligations.
On 28 August 2025, France, Germany and the UK triggered the 'snapback' of international sanctions on the basis that Iran had not complied with the JCPOA by exceeding the maximum allowed uranium stockpile; undertaking prohibited enrichment activities; and obstructing international verification and monitoring.
On 28 September 2025, the UNSC sanctions that were eased under the JCPOA were automatically reimposed. The measures include a full arms embargo on Iran; export bans on nuclear and ballistic missile related goods; a prohibition on providing services related to the export of nuclear and ballistic missile related goods; and asset freezes on individuals and entities.
Australia implements UNSC sanctions through Australian domestic laws, including the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 and its regulations.
Australia's sanctions regime on Iran
Australia imposes sanctions against almost 300 Iran-linked individuals and entities who have contributed to Iran's regionally destabilising behaviour, human rights violations, nuclear and missile programs, and supply of drones to Russia for use against Ukraine.
Australians considering commercial or other dealings with Iran should familiarise themselves with the operation of UN Security Council sanctions, Australia's autonomous sanctions and the sanctions laws of other countries; and seek independent legal advice before making commercial decisions. For more information, please see the Iran sanctions regime page.
Human rights
The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran, including Iran's increased use of the death penalty and its continued persecution of women, girls and LGBTQIA+ individuals, violations of political and media freedoms, and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities. Australia has publicly condemned acts of transnational repression conducted by Iran – including operations to intimidate journalists; attacks designed to divide societies and intimidate Jewish communities; and attempts to silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce political opponents abroad.
The Government has strongly urged Iranian authorities to respect the human rights of their citizens. Australia has expressed these concerns in Canberra, Tehran and multilateral fora, including the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council.
The Government continues to advise "do not travel" to Iran as there is a high risk you could be arbitrarily detained or arrested.
Economic overview
Iran is a significant regional economy with a large population (estimated to be over 90 million). The economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbon exports and dominated by the oil industry. As a result, economic growth has traditionally been strongly influenced by oil market developments. An ongoing goal of Iranian economic policy is diversification of the economy away from dependence on oil earnings.
State actors, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), dominate key industry sectors, and organisations controlled by religious foundations account for a significant share of GDP. The private sector is generally confined to small and medium enterprises. The economic situation remains difficult, including due to international sanctions.
The value of Australia's two-way goods and services trade with Iran was $728.3 million AUD in 2024. Traditionally, Iran has been one of Australia's leading wheat export destinations, and other primary exports include meat, fish, and pharmaceutical products.