Former Iranian Diplomat Granted Asylum in Australia Amid Broader Defections

Mohammad Pournajaf, a former Iranian diplomat and Tehran's chargé d'affaires in Canberra until early 2023, has been granted asylum in Australia after applying in 2023. He had been residing in Australia since 2018 and previously served as ambassador to Zimbabwe and at the UN. Other Iranian diplomats have sought asylum in Denmark and Switzerland amid recent unrest in Iran. Separately, members of Iran's women's national football team have sought asylum abroad, with some granted humanitarian visas in Australia and others training under security in Malaysia.