Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia played no role in the Israeli–US strike in Iran that allegedly killed key Iranian leaders, but would not confirm whether Australian-based intelligence assets contributed to the operation.
Senator Wong also confirmed Australia was not told in advance of Operation Epic Fury.
‘We weren’t told advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,’ she said.
‘We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role international community.’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for almost 37 years, died during the American and Israeli strikes.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President called Khamenei ‘one of the most evil people in history’ as he announced he died during the joint airstrikes on Tehran.
Meanwhile Wong refused to comment on whether Australian intelligence contributed to the operation.
‘These are strikes which are determined by the parties concerned, which is the United States and Israel,’ she said.
Senator Wong (pictured) confirmed Australia was not told in advance of Operation Epic Fury
A view of fire that broke out in a building targeted by Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles as Iran attacked several buildings in Manama, the capital of Bahrain
In a post on Truth Social, the US President Donald Trump (pictured right) called Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured left) ‘one of the most evil people in history’
Wong said Australia stood with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.
‘Ultimately Iran’s future must be determined by the people of Iran,’ she said.
‘Australian involvement, obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.’
Senator Wong also urged the resumption of dialogue and diplomacy, which had been underway until the surprise attack.
Following a meeting of the National Security Committee of Cabinet on Sunday morning, the government is urgently seeking to confirm whether any Australians have been affected.
Official travel advice has been upgraded with Australians warned not to travel to Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
US President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, as well as other Iranian defence leaders.
Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.
International flights between Australia and major hubs in the Middle East have been cancelled, leaving travellers in limbo.
Virgin Australia said numerous Qatar Airways flights headed from Australia to Doha have been turned around.
Emirates and Etihad flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai and Abu Dhabi were cancelled on Sunday morning.
Emirates says it has ‘temporarily suspended’ all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm on Sunday.
‘We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements,’ the airline said in a message to passengers.
‘The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.’
