As the Islamic Republic of Iran and its terror networks cause death and destruction in Israel and Gaza and threaten to spread it further across the Middle East, we need to urgently look at how they were allowed to brazenly operate simultaneously as purveyors of terror and influential diplomats.

The answers bear directly on how Australia and our allies can safeguard our interests and security in the months and years ahead – for the Islamic Republic’s ability to grow its international influence and set itself up as a powerbroker while openly committing and funding acts of violence at home and abroad...