Australia Backs US-Israel Strikes on Iran, Warns of Escalation
The Australian government has affirmed its support for United States military action against Iran following a series of strikes, while simultaneously warning of potential “reprisal attacks and further escalation” in the Middle East. The strikes, part of what the US Pentagon has named “OPERATION EPIC FURY,” mark a significant intensification of regional tensions.
Australian Government Statement
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a joint statement on Saturday night expressing Australia’s solidarity with the US and its actions aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Albanese emphasized Iran’s role as a “destabilising force” for decades, citing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and “brutal acts of violence and intimidation.”
Concerns Over Iranian Attacks on Australian Interests
Albanese specifically pointed to two attacks in 2024 allegedly directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against Australia’s Jewish community, stating they were “intended to create fear” and “divide our society.” He also criticized the Iranian government’s human rights record, noting its “brutal crackdown on its own people,” resulting in the deaths of thousands of Iranian civilians.
International Cooperation and Calls for Human Rights
The Australian government stated it has collaborated with international partners, including the United States and the G7, in calling on the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens. These calls, according to Albanese, have been ignored, leading to the current situation.
Travel Warnings and Security Measures
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a warning about the “risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation” across the Middle East. DFAT had previously advised families of Australian diplomats in the region to depart due to the “deteriorating security situation.” Australians remaining in Iran have been advised to prepare to shelter in place for an extended period and ensure they have adequate supplies of water, food, and medication.
Details of the Strikes and Iranian Response
Initial reports indicate the first wave of strikes targeted Iranian officials. An Israeli official reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were targeted, though the outcome of these strikes remains unconfirmed. Sources suggest Khamenei was moved to a secure location prior to the attacks. Reports also indicate that several senior commanders in the IRGC and political officials were killed, though Reuters could not independently verify this information.
The IRGC has responded by launching missile and drone attacks against Israel, warning that all US bases and interests in the region are within Iran’s reach. Several Gulf Arab states have also reported being targeted by Iranian missiles. The IRGC stated its retaliation would continue until “the enemy is decisively defeated.”
Australia’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Albanese reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program poses a “threat to global peace and security” and that the international community is united in its position that Iran “can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.”
Australia did not participate directly in “OPERATION EPIC FURY,” according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong as reported by the ABC.