Australia to Suspend Operations of Former Afghan Embassy in Canberra by June 2026

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced on January 30 that it will suspend activities of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra effective June 30, 2026.

The Australia Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) stated that the decision, prompted by a July 2024 letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan requesting the closure, could impact the life and security of the Afghan community in Australia. ASPI noted that the Australian government should have supported the embassy.

Australia has previously emphasized that it will not hand over the embassy to representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Former diplomat Aziz Muarij said: "According to international principles and diplomatic conventions, since the former government has fallen, diplomats cannot represent the former government nor are they recognized by the current government, so if embassies are closed, measures must be taken in this regard."

Political analyst Maiwand Jarat stated: "The closure of such embassies confronts Afghan citizens with various challenges, so the Australian government and the European Union need to put an end to these challenges by understanding the realities of Afghanistan."

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not commented on the suspension or the full closure in June.