Penny Wong's Iran Recognition Under Fire from Petitioners

Australia's recognition of Iran as its legitimate government has been questioned by over 18,000 Australians who signed a petition asking Foreign Minister Penny Wong to withdraw it. In response, Wong stated that Australia recognizes states, not governments, citing a policy that was in place from 1988. However, this policy only applies to new governments taking power and does not cover existing recognition.

The recognition of Iran's government was initially granted by Andrew Peacock in 1979, when he cited the safety of Australians still in Iran, the need for Iranian oil exports to resume, and 'the clearly expressed wishes of the Iranian people' as reasons. However, since then, the regime has sponsored attacks on Australians, taken the Strait of Hormuz hostage, and engaged in hostage diplomacy.

Wong agrees that a regime relying on repression and murder to maintain power is illegitimate but refuses to withdraw recognition citing the 1988 policy. However, this policy was revised in 2019 when Australia recognized Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, indicating that it can recognize governments after all.

Arash Behgoo, the principal petitioner of the House e-petition EN9283, argues that withdrawing recognition would not erase Iran and would instead mean that Australia no longer regards the Islamic Republic as its de jure government. He points out that the petitioners' request is not to recognize a new regime but to withdraw a grant made in 1979.