Australia Weighs Military Support Amid Middle East Tensions
Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong confirmed that the government in Canberra is reviewing requests to assist several nations that were not directly involved in the conflict but have been impacted by Iran’s response.
The region has faced rising instability since the United States and Israel launched a major offensive against Iran on Feb. 28. According to reports, the attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and several high-ranking military figures.
Iran later responded with extensive missile and drone strikes targeting American bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple cities in Israel.
The cycle of attacks has continued to intensify.
Speaking about Australia’s stance, Wong emphasized that her country would not become directly involved in offensive military actions.
"We are not participating in offensive actions against Iran, and we have made clear we would not participate in any ground troop deployment into Iran," she said.
"This is not Iraq, and we are not the Howard government. We are not asking Australians to accept men and women being deployed into a ground war."
She explained that any support Australia might offer would likely focus on helping regional partners defend themselves from Iranian missile and drone threats.
"We have been asked, and we will consider it in accordance with (foreign policy) principles," she said. "If a decision is made, I'm sure that we will be transparent with the Australian people."
In a separate development, an aircraft traveling from Dubai to Melbourne carrying 151 Australian nationals is expected to arrive on Sunday, while another flight transporting citizens will land later in Sydney.
Officials also said that more than 1,500 Australians have already returned home by air from the United Arab Emirates since international flight services resumed.
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