TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Thursday it has “downgraded” its relations with Australia in response to the expulsion last week of its ambassador over accusations that Tehran masterminded antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

The official IRNA news agency cited Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei as saying that Australia's ambassador has already left Iran, adding that Iran’s consulate section is active in Australia and Iran will try to meet consular needs of Iranians there.

“According to diplomatic norms and right in reaction to Australia action, Iran has downgraded level of diplomatic presence of Australian in Iran,” Baghaei was quoted as saying. He also rejected antisemitic accusation , the report said.

He described Australia's decision last week to expel the Irani

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