Australia Supports US Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites, Urges De-Escalation

Australia has expressed strong support for the United States' air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, emphasizing the necessity to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted that while Australia supports the US action, the crucial focus now is to avoid escalation and promote diplomacy to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East. The strikes targeted sites linked to Iran's uranium enrichment, which the UN nuclear watchdog found to be in breach of international obligations. Australia's stance aligns with that of other allies like the UK and Canada, although smaller parties such as the Greens have condemned the strikes as violations of international law. The government is also preparing for potential civilian evacuations from the region, with thousands of Australians in Iran, Iraq, and Israel seeking to leave amid rising tensions. Australia’s security strategy remains closely tied to its alliance with the US, underscored by the AUKUS pact focused on countering regional threats.