Defence Minister Richard Marles stumbles over policy gap between Australia-US in Iran-Israel conflict

Defence Minister Richard Marles has struggled to explain why the government's stance on the Iran-Israel conflict appears out of step with the United States.
Pressed on whether Australia supported a possible US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Mr Marles repeatedly sidestepped the question.
'The position that we have articulated… has been consistent from the outset,' Mr Marles told Sky News Sunday Agenda.
The Albanese government has called for 'de-escalation' but supported Israel's 'right to defend itself', and also said Iran's ambitions for a nuclear weapon were 'concerning'.
"The Iranian nuclear ballistic missile program is most definitely a threat to the peace and stability of not only the Middle East," Mr Marles said.
'We have used our voice to urge de-escalation. And that's our position in respect of both the Iranian program, but also, more specifically, in respect of this conflict.'
Mr Marles was asked if he was having '$1 each way' by not explicitly supporting the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, prohibiting their access to world-ending technology.
The Defence Minister stumbled over his answer as he attempted to explain the government's stance on the matter.
'Uh, uh. Um, I'm... articulating the Australian government's position. That's the only thing I can articulate,' Mr Marles said.
'We are making it clear that we see that the Iranian program represents a threat to the peace and stability of the region and the world .... what we're saying in relation to this specific conflict is that we are worried about its prospect for escalation.
"Both of those things can sit together."
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.'
Israel's top diplomat in Australia, Ambassador Amir Maimon, acknowledged a clear 'shift' in the Albanese government's treatment of Israel.
Former Australian governments have held close relationships with Israel, but the Albanese government's ties with the Jewish state have frayed in recent years.
'It is true that since May 2022, we see a shift in some Israeli-related policies,' Mr Maimon said of the Albanese government's treatment of the Jewish state.
'We still consider Australia as a friendly country. There are hiccups in our relationship. It's only normal. I think that it's true about every country.
'There are ups and downs. Even if I think that Israel is right in the way we are handling the campaign in Gaza, it doesn't mean that that's how it is viewed in other capitals.
'But we have very close exchanges with our friends. We do not always agree about everything.'
Mr Maimon recently called out countries which 'urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads' after Ms Wong said Israel and Iran should talk.

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