Sunrise host Nat Barr has taken aim at senior Albanese minister Amanda Rishworth over the government’s weak response to Iran’s ambassador to Australia calling terrorist Hassan Nasrallah a “blessed martyr”.
Iranian ambassador to Australia Ahmad Sadeghi praised the Hezbollah leader, who was killed during an Israeli airstrike last week, on X on Sunday.
Sadeghi said Nasrallah was a “remarkable leader” and referred to the Israeli government as a “criminal Zionist regime” in the inflammatory post, which has been widely condemned.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
“Following the martyrdom of Sayyed (sir) Hassan Nasrallah, the honourable Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance Front and the Muslim world have lost a great personality, a prominent standard-bearer, and a remarkable leader,” Sadeghi wrote.
“However, his path in the struggle against the oppression and occupation of the criminal Zionist regime will continue to have many followers.
“Undoubtedly, the path of this blessed martyr in the struggle against the tyrants and oppressors of the time will endure and bear fruit, and the vile entity of the Zionist regime will not remain triumphant or complacent from this crime.
“Martyrdom is the dignified path of such great men, and nothing else can be expected from them.”
The Albanese government has not directly responded to the post or whether it plans to take any action over it, although Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier this week simply said: “We condemn any indication of support for a terrorist organisation such as Hezbollah.”
On Friday, Sunrise host Nat Barr was discussing Hot Topics with Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth and deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley and raised the lack of response.
“(Hezbollah) is a terrorist organisation and this guy just called the leader a ‘blessed martyr’ and ‘a remarkable leader’. So, you know, for our government to sit there and say ‘Yeah, that’s not good’ — wouldn’t we call him in and give him a rap over the knuckles?” Barr asked.
Rishworth responded: “That is a matter for the Prime Minister. I am sure there has been over many governments many robust conversations with the Iranian government. We are acting in our national interests.
“Since 1968 there has been, of course, diplomatic relations. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have very robust conversations. Of course, it is not an endorsement of the regime’s position.”
Barr asked if the ambassador would face “any questioning” or “expulsion” over the comments.
The Australian government can expel diplomats under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) without being required to explain its reasons for the expulsion.
Rishworth said: “It is about pursuing our national interests. So we will keep pursuing our national interests.
“I need to be really clear, it is not an endorsement. We condemn these comments fully. But our national interests are at play by keeping diplomatic channels open, particularly around urging de-escalation when it comes to the conflict in the Middle East.”
Ley slammed the government’s response, saying the Iranians should be held to account over the comments.
“No, it is not the way we should handle this. We have been very clear about this, Nat,” she said.
“The ambassador has made awful comments. He should be held accountable for them. Yes, it’s important that we have diplomatic relations with many countries. But those comments don’t sound very diplomatic to me.
“Yes, members of the government have made statements but words only go so far, actions count.
“This individual should be called in. He should have his credentials removed and she should be sent home. It is a test for the Foreign Minister, and it is a test for the Prime Minister.”