A gift and an invitation: Inside Albanese's meeting with Pope Leo
Rome | Anthony Albanese formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Australia in 2028 in a personal audience with the new pontiff in which he presented him with a framed art work by indigenous artist Amanda Westley.
The prime minister was escorted to the Apostolic Palace by Swiss Guard late on Monday and spoke to Leo about their shared concern for global conflict and the resulting humanitarian impacts. Promoting an end to current wars has been a central theme of Leo's message since he was elected by the Papal Conclave on May 9.
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SBS Australia
35 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Albanese says Australia supports US strikes on Iran, but insists action was 'unilateral'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called upon Iran to "abandon any nuclear weapons program". Source: AAP / Lukas Coch Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Australia supports the United States' attack on nuclear facilities in Iran, in his first public comments in response to the strikes over the weekend. The prime minister echoed Foreign Minister Penny Wong's comments from earlier on Monday when she said "Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon" and that Australia "supports action to prevent that". "The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program. We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy," Albanese said. He called on Iran to "come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program". The prime minister was also asked to confirm whether or not Australia provided any military support to the US for its attack on Iran, or if facilities such as Pine Gap — Australia's joint intelligence surveillance base with the US in the Northern Territory — played a role. "Well, we don't talk about intelligence matters, but we confirm, of course, that this was a unilateral action by the United States," he said. Albanese was asked multiple times to confirm there was "no Australian involvement" whatsoever in the attack, each time replying that it was "unilateral action taken by the United States". US President Donald Trump said the unprecedented strikes had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, while Iranian officials downplayed both the damage and loss of previously enriched uranium. Israel — which started striking Iran on 13 June — declared its support for the US attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing it as a "bold, righteous, and historic" action. Iran has strongly criticised the attack and said it won't go unanswered. On Monday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US "must receive a response ", while Iran's ambassador to the United Nations said the US had "waged a war" against it under an "absurd pretext". Speaking on ABC radio's RN program on Monday morning, Wong said the world had agreed "Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon" and that Australia "supports action to prevent that". Israel has for decades warned Iran was developing a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently denied that claim, saying its uranium enrichment program is exclusively for peaceful purposes such as energy. International assessments have found no evidence Iran has an active nuclear weaponisation program, and it is a signatory to the UN's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel is not a signatory to the treaty, and is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons itself, but has never confirmed or denied this. Shortly before Israel launched strikes against Iran on 13 June, the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years, saying it had failed to provide the agency with "full and timely co-operation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities". Wong said despite Australia supporting the US strikes, the "key question is what happens next", and urged de-escalation. "Australia says, like so many other countries, we do not want escalation and a full-scale war, and we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy," she said. Wong was asked if her calls for diplomacy extended to demanding Israel stop its attacks on Iran. "We have seen strikes, we have seen what the US has done, we have seen the destruction, or the debilitation, of these nuclear facilities. Now is the time for diplomacy. Now is the time for de-escalation, and ... that call is to all parties," she said. Wong also appeared on Channel 9's Today program, where she said the US had not made any requests of Australia regarding action in Iran, and wouldn't speculate on the future. She wouldn't say whether or not Pine Gap, Australia's joint intelligence surveillance base with the US in the Northern Territory, played a role in the US strikes on the weekend. Wong said more than 4,000 Australians had registered for help to leave the Middle East — around 2,900 in Iran, and 1,300 in Israel. Australian officials have been deployed to Iran's border with Azerbaijan to assist Australians who were able to cross. "People have to make a judgement about how risky that is. But we urge them to move if they believe they can do so safely," she told ABC's RN. "In relation to Israel, the airspace is closed. There is some prospect of a window of airspace opening. Obviously, that is highly dependent on the situation on the ground. And we are seeking to try and arrange a facilitated flight in the event that the airspace opens." Andrew Hastie, the Opposition's acting foreign affairs spokesperson, reiterated the Coalition supports the US strikes on Iran, telling ABC's RN he was "glad to see that Penny Wong has essentially endorsed our opinion" and "glad we have bipartisanship on this". "Do we support the US in their strikes? Yes, we do. Why? Because we don't want to see Iran getting a nuclear weapon. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy." — With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'We aren't a central player in this conflict': Albanese backs US attack on Iran
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declined to say whether the United States made use of an Australian military base for its attack on Iran, while confirming his government's support. Asked if a facility like the secretive US military base at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, or intelligence gathered there, had been used in the attack launched on Sunday, he said: "We don't talk about intelligence, obviously, but we've made it very clear this was a unilateral action taken by the United States." "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon," Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Monday, addressing the media for the first time since the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran about 24 hours earlier. "We support action to prevent that ... That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program." In response to a question about whether the attacks were in breach of international law, Mr Albanese did not directly answer. "Iran has an interest ... In ensuring that there is not an escalation in the region," he said. "The United States have made clear their position, and we continue to call for dialogue. Had Iran complied with the very reasonable requests that were made, including by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], then circumstances would have been different." He said Australia's support of the US bombings was consistent with comments made over the past week about a need for de-escalation. "We are not a central player in this conflict," he said. The Prime Minister said he remained "deeply concerned about any escalation in the region." "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war," he said. "We've been upfront about the challenge facing the international community that is dealing with the threat posed by any Iranian nuclear weapons program and dealing with the risk of regional escalation, and that's why Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." When asked if he had been briefed by the Trump administration before the bombings, Mr Albanese repeated: "This was a unilateral action." The Prime Minister's press conference followed criticism by the Coalition for his decision to remain silent in the aftermath of the attacks on Sunday. The government initially released a cautiously worded statement from an unnamed spokesperson, saying Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program was a threat to international peace and security while calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy". Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie told Sky this "was not good enough." The Prime Minister "should have called a National Security Committee meeting, and he should have stood up and spoken to the Australian people," Mr Hastie said. "This is a very significant moment, and he was nowhere to be seen ... The Coalition supports this military action by the United States." Earlier on Monday, ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC Canberra radio: "We certainly support action that's been taken to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon." When asked if this meant US President Donald Trump "did the right thing" in bombing Iran, Senator Gallagher responded: "I'll use the Foreign Minister's language that she's used, because she's the spokesperson for the government on these matters." "I understand people's concerns, it's been raised with me over the weekend," she said. "Most Australians just want to see peace in the Middle East. They don't want to see the loss of civilian lives. "They don't want to see the damage that's been done to communities in the Middle East that we've been witnessing in Gaza and now are seeing in Iran [and] in Lebanon." Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra on Monday morning that Iran "is not in compliance with its obligations under the non-proliferation arrangements that it has signed up to." "What happens now matters ... We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East." She said about 1300 Australians and their families were registered with DFAT seeking assistance to return to Australia from Israel, along with 2900 Australians and their families trapped in Iran. The government was seeking to make use of a potential window to fly citizens out of Israel if the airspace opened for "a limited period", she said. "In Iran, it is a very difficult situation ... We've deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support." Greens defence and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge blasted the Albanese government for supporting "the illegal bombing of Iran." Senator Shoebridge said the attack was "unprincipled, contrary to international law and another blow to international peace." "The Greens condemn Labor's support for the US attack," he said. "The decision to side with Trump and Netenytanu, reckless warmongers, over the people and peace will follow the Albanese government for decades to come."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'We support action': PM backs in US strikes on Iran
The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians.
