Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the registration of roughly 350 Australians in Iran and 300 in Israel seeking assistance to exit the conflict-torn regions. Speaking from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade crisis centre, Wong acknowledged the distress faced by these nationals and their families due to the escalating violence between Iran and Israel.
She reiterated that the government is preparing for evacuation efforts when the situation permits, noting that airspace in the area is currently closed for safety reasons amidst fears of strikes on commercial flights. Therefore, any air evacuations will have to wait until conditions improve.
Wong urged Australians in these locales to remain vigilant and follow guidance from both the Australian government and local authorities. She called for restraint from both Israel and Iran, emphasising the global consensus on the need for dialogue and de-escalation, aligning with views expressed by many international leaders.
The current hostilities have resulted in Iran launching missile strikes on Israel, killing at least five people. In response, Israel claims to have established air superiority over Tehran, asserting substantial military strikes on Iranian missile facilities and command centres. The Israeli military reports that over 120 missile launchers have been neutralised, while Iranian forces have fired more than 370 missiles and conducted drone attacks that resulted in multiple casualties.
The ongoing conflict was ignited by an Israeli offensive targeting Iran’s military leadership and uranium enrichment facilities, aimed at thwarting Tehran’s ambitions for nuclear weapons. Although Iran insists its nuclear pursuits are for peaceful purposes, concerns persist regarding its nuclear capabilities and potential to develop weapons.
With assertions from military officials suggesting a significant escalation in regional hostility, the potential for an all-out war looms large, raising alarm across the international community as the situation continues to unfold.