Canberra is evaluating a request for military assistance from Gulf states facing attacks originating from Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has clarified that any support provided by Australia would be strictly defensive in nature, explicitly ruling out participation in offensive actions or the deployment of ground troops into Iran. The government is assessing how its military assets could help protect allies against Iranian missile and drone strikes.
This move comes as several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, have reported recent Iranian drone attacks. Australia's consideration of military aid aligns with its stated aim of enhancing regional security and safeguarding its own citizens. The government has emphasized that any deployed Australian Defence Force assets would operate under Australian law, policy, and directives.
In parallel, Australia has been actively assisting its citizens in the Middle East. Since the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, nine commercial flights carrying approximately 1,549 Australians have arrived from the United Arab Emirates, with further flights scheduled. The government is also providing consular support to Australians in the region.
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Australia's stance on its involvement has been consistently articulated by Minister Wong. She has reiterated that while Australia backed the US-Israeli strikes as a necessary measure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, this support does not extend to offensive combat roles for Australian personnel. The presence of around 70 Australian military personnel serving on American nuclear submarines, and the report of three Australian personnel being aboard a US submarine that sank an Iranian ship on March 4, have been framed by officials not as active participation in the conflict, but as routine deployments.
The opposition has sought briefings regarding any potential deployment of Australian personnel in defensive combat roles in the Middle East. This discussion occurs against a backdrop of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly apologizing for attacks on regional countries, even as missile and drone activity continued, suggesting potential command complexities within Iran's armed forces.
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