Australia backs US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
SYDNEY: Australia backs the United States' air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities but wants to avert a spiral into 'full-scale war' in the Middle East, the government said Monday.
'Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. We support action to prevent that from occurring, and this is what this is,' Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters.
'What happens now matters. We do not want to see escalation. We do call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue because the world does not want to see full-scale war in the Middle East.'
The US attacks had targeted sites specific to Iran's nuclear program, she said, citing the UN nuclear watchdog's findings that Tehran's uranium enrichment breached its international obligations.
Australia's conservative opposition has also supported the US military action, though the smaller Greens Party has condemned it as a 'blatant breach of international law'.
Australia's security strategy is deeply entwined with its relationship with long-time ally the United States.
In 2021, it joined with the United States and Britain in a multi-decade pact to equip the Australian navy with stealthy nuclear-powered submarines, seeking to balance China's growing military strength.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Unprecedented levels of violence against children: UN
FROM Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against children in conflict zones reached 'unprecedented levels' in 2024, according to a United Nations (UN) annual report recently. 'In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25% surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023,' according to a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The report verified 41,370 grave violations against children in 2024, including 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 committed previously but confirmed in 2024, the highest number since the monitoring tool was established nearly 30 years ago. The new high beats 2023, another record year, which itself represented a 21% increase over the preceding year. With more than 4,500 killed and 7,000 injured, children continue to bear 'the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks', the report said. There was also a marked increase in the number of child victims of multiple violations to 22,495. 'The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball – but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings – should keep all of us awake at night,' said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict. 'This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return.' In the report, the UN compiled violations of the rights of children, those aged under 18, in some 20 conflict zones around the world. In its appendix – a 'list of shame' that names those responsible for these violations – a powerful coalition of Haitian gangs was added this year. Their actions include child killings and mutilations, recruitment of children into violence, kidnappings, denial of humanitarian aid and sexual violence. The Israeli armed forces, which were named last year along with Palestinian militant group Hamas, remain on the list. Conflict casualties The Palestinian territories occupy the top spot in the dismal rankings, with more than 8,500 serious violations, the vast majority attributed to Israeli forces, including more than 4,800 in the Gaza Strip. This figure includes confirmation of 1,259 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, and the UN noted it is currently verifying information on an additional 4,470 children killed in 2024 in the war-torn territory. Violence erupted there following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. The report also calls out Israel's military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year. Following the Palestinian territories, the countries where the UN recorded the most violence against children in 2024 are: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (more than 4,000 grave violations), Somalia (more than 2,500), Nigeria (nearly 2,500) and Haiti (more than 2,200). 'List of shame' inductees include Haitian gang coalition 'Viv Ansanm', blamed for a 490% increase in violations, including child recruitment, murders and gang rapes. Another addition to the list is Colombian drug cartel Clan del Golfo, which is accused of child recruitment. Colombia in general recorded a significant increase in cases of forced recruitment, with 450 children in 2024 compared to 262 the previous year. Remaining on the list are the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting in Sudan for more than two years. Also listed again is the Russian army for its actions in Ukraine, where the report records a 105% increase in serious violations between 2023 and 2024. – AFP
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
China says US attack on Iran has damaged its credibility
A US Air Force B-2 stealth bomber returns after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, US June 22, 2025 in a still image from video. China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong said parties should restrain the "impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire." - ABC Affiliate KMBC via Reuters HONG KONG: China said the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities has damaged Washington's credibility and Beijing was concerned that the situation "may go out of control", its state broadcaster reported, following a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday (June 22). President Donald Trump said the US had "obliterated" Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution. The UN Security Council met on Sunday to discuss US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East. China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong said parties should restrain the "impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire," according to the state broadcaster CCTV. Fu said parties, especially Israel, "should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war." Iran was hurt "but the United States credibility was also damaged - both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations," Fu said. State media commentary late on Sunday said the US move was extremely dangerous and provocative. The Global Times newspaper in an opinion piece, said external military interference would never bring peace, and only "deepen regional hatred and trauma." Separately China's embassy in Iran said late on Sunday that most Chinese citizens in Iran had been evacuated safely, and those remaining were not in high-risk areas. - Reuters
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
'Dangerous escalation': World reacts to US strikes on Iran
Demonstrators gather outside the Wilshire Federal Building during a rally opposing the United States' strikes on Iran on June 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. — AFP photo PARIS (June 23): The United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, joining Israel's bombing campaign and fuelling fears of a wider regional conflict. 'Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,' US President Donald Trump said after the strikes. Here is a roundup of the key reactions: – Iran: 'Everlasting consequences' – Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as 'outrageous' and said his country had a right to defend its sovereignty. 'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,' he posted on social media, calling the attacks 'lawless and criminal' behaviour. Araghchi later said the United States and Israel crossed 'a very big red line' with the attacks, and said he would head to Moscow later Sunday for talks with President Vladimir Putin. – Israel: 'Change history' – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying the attacks would 'help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace'. 'Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,' Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated 'America has been truly unsurpassed'. Restating his objectives as destroying Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, Netanyahu later told a press conference that 'we are moving step by step towards achieving these goals, we are very, very close to completing them'. – EU: 'Step back' – The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. 'I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,' Kallas wrote on X, adding that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers would discuss the situation on Monday. – Russia: 'Irresponsible' strikes – Russia 'strongly condemned' the bombings, calling them 'irresponsible' and a 'gross violation of international law'. 'A dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security,' the Russian foreign ministry added. – Australia: Avert 'full-scale war' – 'The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that. That is what this is,' said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. At the same time, he stressed: 'We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy.' – UN: 'Dangerous escalation' – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge'. 'There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' Guterres said in a statement. – OIC: Dialogue and 'peaceful means' – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation warned that the strikes could lead to 'heightened tensions and threaten regional security, peace, and stability'. It called for 'de-escalation and self-restraint, and for resorting to dialogue and returning to negotiations and peaceful means.' – Britain: 'Stability is priority' – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to 'return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis'. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,' Starmer said on X, adding that 'stability in the region is a priority'. 'Dangerous escalation': World reacts to US strikes on IranFrench President Emmanuel Macron called a meeting of the country's defence council, with his office saying he had spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Oman. France is urging 'all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict', Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X. – China: 'Cease fire' – China's foreign ministry said it 'strongly condemns' the US strikes, warning that they 'escalate tensions in the Middle East'. 'China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible,' the ministry said. – North Korea: 'Violated UN charter' – North Korea condemned the US strikes, calling them a violation of the United Nations charter and blaming the tension in the Middle East on the 'reckless valor of Israel'. 'The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US, which severely violated the UN Charter with respect for sovereignty,' said a spokesperson of the North's foreign ministry, according to a statement carried by the state news agency. – Saudi Arabia: 'Exercise restraint' – Saudi Arabia expressed 'great concern' after the strikes on its neighbour, the 'sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran'. 'The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and avoid further escalation,' the foreign ministry posted on X. – Pakistan: 'Violate international law' – Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim country and a longtime Washington ally, said the US attacks 'violate all norms of international law'. 'We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region,' Pakistan's foreign ministry said, adding that Iran had the 'right to defend itself under the UN Charter'. – Hamas: 'Brutal aggression' – The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the 'blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran'. 'This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation,' Hamas said, calling the attack 'a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to international peace and security'. – Huthis: 'Declaration of war' – Yemen's Huthi rebel government, which is backed by Iran, condemned the US attacks and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people. 'The Trump administration's reckless aggression… is a blatant declaration of war against the brotherly Iranian people. We declare our full support for the brotherly Iranian people,' it said. — AFP
