Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran’s Islamic regime.
The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
‘We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,’ Albanese said in a statement on Saturday night.
‘Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation.
‘We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.’
Australia categorised Iran’s the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism following the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador over allegations he directed attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne.
These included a firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, 2024, and an arson attack on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney two months before that.
‘Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression,’ Albanese said in his statement.
Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran’s Islamic regime
The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
‘For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation.
‘Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty.’
The government has upgraded Australia’s travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to ‘Do Not Travel’, with the warning ‘Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so’.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region.
The prime minister added that his government has called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.
‘These calls have gone unheeded. Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead,’ he said.
‘A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy.’
More to come.
