Former prime minister Scott Morrison backs US strikes on Iran, slams Albanese government's ‘ambiguity'

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the operation a "necessary event".
US President Donald Trump ordered strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (Australian time), escalating the Middle East conflict to new heights.
Mr Morrison told Sky News on Sunday that the strikes would help to bring peace, and accused the Albanese government of failing to take a clear stance on the conflict.
'This was a necessary event. There were no other options available to the president,' Mr Morrison said.
'This has been the most decisive and the most comprehensive action to terminate that threat.'
The former prime minister also criticised the Albanese government for its unclear position on the Iran-Israel conflict.
'It's time for some clarity. I think there's been far too much ambiguity about this from Australia, far too much ambiguity, and it's time for clarity.'
Defence Minister Richard Marles earlier had refused to directly back possible US strikes and instead reiterated the government's call for 'de-escalation'.
Pressed on whether Australia supported the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Marles repeatedly avoided a direct answer.
'Uh, uh. Um, I'm... articulating the Australian government's position. That's the only thing I can articulate.'
'We have used our voice to urge de-escalation. And that's our position in respect of both the Iranian program, but also… in respect of this conflict,' he said.
While acknowledging that Iran's nuclear ambitions were 'concerning' and 'a threat to peace and stability,' Mr Marles declined to endorse any US military response.
The exchange followed Foreign Minister Penny Wong's shifting position on Australia's attitude toward the Israel-Iran conflict.
The government has faced criticism in recent weeks for its slow and cautious responses to Iranian aggression and its measured language toward Israel.
Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan told Sky News Sunday Agenda that the Albanese government has 'isolated themselves' from the Israeli government.
'I think that has left them in a situation where they're really trying to walk two sides here,' Mr Tehan said.
'I think what we need to see from the government is greater moral clarity as to whether they do, once and for all, want to see Iran rid of its nuclear weapons program.'
Liberal Senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma recently criticised Ms Wong for initially calling for de-escalation and diplomacy.
'Part of the reason for this war is the failure of dialogue… there have been multiple rounds of negotiations held with Iran,' Mr Sharma told Sky News.
'I don't see much prospect for dialogue.'
The US strikes on Sunday targeted Iran's key nuclear sites at Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow.
President Trump confirmed the operation involved B-2 bombers, with six bunker-buster bombs used to destroy facilities buried deep in the mountains.
'Fordow is gone… Iran must now agree to end this war,' President Trump posted on Truth Social.
Mr Morrison praised the US response as a proportionate show of strength after all diplomatic avenues had failed.
'This is not something that I believe (Trump) wants to see widened. But this hopefully resolves that question of their nuclear capability,' he said.
The Albanese government has yet to formally comment on the US operation.
Sky News has contacted the Defence Minister for comment.

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