Grim prediction just before Trump strike
Coalition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie made a grim prediction on the future of the Israeli-Iran conflict, stating that 'diplomacy will probably fail' and we would likely 'see a strike of some sort'.
Moments later, Donald Trump confirmed the US had 'completed our very successful attack' on three nuclear sites in Iran, dropping a 'full payload of bombs' on Fordow – a uranium enrichment site buried 90m inside a mountain.
Two other nuclear sites in Natanz and Esfahan were also targeted.
Posting on Truth Social at 9.40am Sunday, the US President confirmed the planes were now 'outside of Iran air space' and were 'safely on their way home'. Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie's comments on a likely strike from the US came moments before Donald Trump confirmed news on Truth Social. Richard Dobson / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
His comments come just days after he said a decision would likely come 'within the next two weeks'.
Appearing on ABC's Insiders on Sunday, Mr Hastie - a former SAS commander - said while he hoped negotitations would see Iran willingly stand down its nuclear programs and subject themselves to independents inspections, he feared it would escalate further.
'We have to take this seriously. Iran is a deeply ideological regime, committed to the destruction of Israel. The supreme leader said he wants to wipe Israel off the map,' he told host David Speers.
'I suspect diplomacy will probably fail and we will see a strike of some sort (in) the next two weeks.
'It will be tough for innocent people caught in the war.'
Mr Hastie also backed the Labor government's approach to date, which has focused on calling for further dialogue between the US, Iran and Israel, while also condemning Iran for its nuclear programs.
'I think broadly speaking they've made it clear, Iran shouldn't get a nuclear weapon,' he said.
'Israel has a right to self-defence. We want to see this war ended quickly. That's mine and the Coalition's position.
'I think Foreign Minister (Penny) Wong made that clear as well.'
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