Canberra is considering a request to offer military assistance to Gulf nations grappling with Iranian missile and drone strikes. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia has received appeals for help but stressed any involvement would be strictly defensive, ruling out offensive operations or the deployment of ground troops into Iran.
==The government has been asked to provide assistance against Iran's "driving missiles," according to Wong, who spoke on ABC’s Insiders program. While not directly criticising US President Trump's stance on Iran's leadership, Wong indicated Australia would not play a role in selecting Iran's leaders.==
=="If a decision is made, I'm sure we will be transparent with the Australian people," Wong stated, acknowledging that several Gulf nations have formally requested Australia's support. This potential engagement comes as Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered apologies for attacks on regional countries, even as missile and drone activity towards Gulf Arab states continues, suggesting a possible disconnect in command within Iran's armed forces.
Opposition Seeks Briefing on Potential Deployments
Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson has indicated the Liberal Party is seeking a briefing regarding any prospective deployment of Australian personnel to the Middle East for defensive combat roles, in light of Wong's remarks.
Australian Citizens Evacuating
The government confirmed that 1,549 Australians have arrived back in the country on nine commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates. An additional three flights were scheduled to land on Sunday, following similar repatriations since US and Israeli strikes on Iran a week prior.
Existing Military Presence
Separately, approximately 70 Australian military personnel are currently serving on American nuclear submarines as part of the 'Aukus' defence pact with the United States and Britain. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that three Australian submariners were aboard a US submarine when it sank an Iranian naval frigate, the IRIS Dena, resulting in casualties. Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite has denied that this incident implicates Australia in a war with Iran.