Foreign Minister Penny Wong outlined Australia's position during a press conference in Canberra, stating support for action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to be a risk to global peace and security. She emphasized that Iran has attacked no fewer than 10 countries in recent days, including states not involved in the conflict, and noted that Iran has also engaged in attacks on Australian soil against Australians, referencing two Iranian state-directed attacks in 2024 orchestrated via the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In response to these incidents, Australia expelled Iran's ambassador, suspended its Tehran embassy, and moved to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
Wong clarified that Australia is not considering deploying troops to assist the United States in the conflict and refused to speculate on the legality of potential US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Regarding Lebanon, Wong told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar that Australia supports Lebanon's sovereignty and does not want to see the southern part occupied by Israel, and they agreed Hezbollah must disarm in line with previous agreements. Australia also announced an extra $5 million in aid to support civilians in Lebanon, particularly women and children, impacted by the conflict.
Excuse me. Please. I am running this press conference.
Wong urged Australians in the Middle East to heed official travel warnings, noting the government issued 41 advisories before the latest escalation, and advised Australians in Lebanon to leave now if safe to do so. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates around 15,000 Australians reside in Lebanon, and more than 8,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned from the Middle East since the outbreak of the war. Specific actions Australia is taking to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons beyond diplomatic statements remain unclear, as do further measures against Iran beyond the expulsion of its ambassador and listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
It is important to note this did not begin with the current strikes.
We support action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to be a risk to global peace and security.
In the last few days, Iran has attacked no fewer than 10 countries, including states that are not participants in this conflict.
Can I remind all of you: Iran has also engaged in attacks on Australian soil against Australians.
I would be careful about the framing of that question.
What I would say to Australians is: please look at the travel advice. We are seeing something unprecedented in the Middle East.
What we're seeing now is affecting countries across the region, and it's why we see travel disrupted in 70 countries.
Australia is gravely concerned at the expansion of the conflict in Lebanon, the loss of life and displacement of more than one million civilians.
We discussed Hezbollah's continued strikes on Israel and agreed they must disarm in line with previous agreements.
Australia supports Lebanon's sovereignty – so we do not want to see occupation of southern Lebanon by Israel.
Australians in Lebanon to leave now, if safe to do so – please do not wait until it's too late.