Missile strike in central Israel
'Serious situation': Aussies in Iran and Israel warned to leave
Australians still in Iran and Israel have been warned to leave as the government gears up to provide repatriation flights out of the Middle East.
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Sky News AU
39 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Pauline Hanson demands visa ban, protest crackdown after US strikes
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called on the federal government to stop offering resettlement visas to Iranian nationals and prevent further public protests in response to recent US strikes on Iran. Senator Hanson voiced strong support for the US military action, describing its strikes against Iran over the weekend as necessary for global security. 'The world is a safer place without nuclear weapons in the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran – a radical Islamic dictatorship,' Senator Hanson said in a statement. 'Safety of Australians should remain paramount and that is why One Nation supports the strike conducted by the United States to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities.' Her comments come after US President Donald Trump confirmed the United States had carried out an attack on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday. The attack follows Israel launching a surprise attack targeting Iran's nuclear program on June 13, prompting the countries to trade deadly strikes. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the government's support for the US's action on Monday morning. 'We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. And that is what this is,' she told Nine. Senator Hanson accused the federal government of being 'weak' in response to 'terrorism against Israel', calling for an end to domestic protests and a stop to resettlement visas for Iranian citizens. Protests calling for an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza have been ongoing across Australia, with recent protests also calling for Australia to pull out of AUKUS, its defence deal with the US and the UK. 'Since the Iranian regime-backed Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 2023, Australia has faced anti-Semitic protests at the Sydney Opera House, our government-funded universities, parliamentary offices, and in our suburbs,' Senator Hanson said. 'This must not be tolerated following US strikes and I request that you work with state and territory governments to prevent these protests from recommencing, 'One Nation seeks confirmation from you and your government that you will prosecute radical Islamic preachers who inspire terrorism and hatred in Australia, 'And we seek your assurance that your government will not offer additional visas to Iranians seeking resettlement in Australia.' Protesters descended on the US consulate in Melbourne and Hyde Park in Sydney on Sunday to denounce the bombing of Iran. Students for Palestine Iranian socialist Bella Beiraghi called out the Israeli and US governments for 'recycling 20-year-old lies' about Iran's nuclear weapons program at Melbourne's rally. 'They say that Iran is a mortal threat to the region, but if you just look over the past 20 months of genocide in Gaza, you can see who the real threat to the region is; it's Israel and America,' she said. Right-wing commentator Kobie Thatcher echoed Senator Hanson's call, posting a video of the gathering on 'x', labelling them 'absolutely disgraceful scenes' and calling for 'mass deportations'. Originally published as Hanson demands visa ban, protest crackdown after US strikes on Iran
Sky News AU
39 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
'Flat-footed': Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convenes National Security Committee 24 hours after US strikes on Iran
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a meeting of the National Security Committee of Cabinet almost 24 hours after the United States conducted strikes against Iran. The committee includes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and other cabinet members. Mr Albanese has not made a public appearance since US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes on Sunday. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong finally expressed support for the US attacks on Monday after initially failing to back Australia's closest ally. 'What happens now matters. We do not want to see escalation. We call for diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue,' Ms Wong said at a doorstop press conference on Monday. 'The world does not want to a full-scale war in the Middle East.' Ms Wong also told reporters that Australia was 'not a central player' in the Israel-Iran conflict. Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) planes landed in Dubai on Sunday ahead of repatriation flights for Australians stranded in Israel. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) there were about 2,900 Australians in Iran and 1,300 in Israel who were seeking to leave the region. Acting shadow foreign affairs minister Andrew Hastie, in response, criticised the Albanese government for being "flat-footed" in its response to the conflict on Monday. 'I think, though, what yesterday demonstrated was that the prime minister's flat-footed," he told the ABC. "His instincts aren't great on this, and he should have called a NSC (National Security Council) meeting yesterday for an event of such significance." Shadow competition minister Dave Sharma also told Sky News that Australia had made itself 'irrelevant' through the conflict. 'We had (Defence Minister) Richard Marles… calling for de-escalation at the very same time, almost, that US B2 bombers… were striking nuclear targets in Iran,' he said. 'No one listens to our views seriously anymore on these issues, particularly in the Middle East.' Just hours before President Donald Trump confirmed the US had destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities, Mr Marles had called for 'de-escalation'. "The Iranian nuclear ballistic missile program is most definitely a threat to the peace and stability of not only the Middle East," he told Sky News on Sunday. '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.' Roughly 24 hours later, Ms Wong insisted the government was 'very clear' in its support for US strikes against Iran. 'Australia has been clear, along with the international community, that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,' she told reporters at Parliament House. 'We support action to prevent that from occurring and this is what this was.' Her comments mark a notable shift in tone from the carefully worded government statement released on Sunday. That initial statement did not include any reference to Australia 'supporting' the US action.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Australia backs US strike on Iran to prevent nukes
Australia has supported US strikes on Iran to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as Anthony Albanese calls an urgent national security meeting. After days of escalation, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The prime minister convened the National Security Committee on Monday morning, with public comments likely to follow. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue to prevent a "full-scale war" in the Middle East. "We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, and that is what this is," she told Nine's Today show on Monday. "It's what happens next is what the world is focused on." The foreign minister 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 and Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC's RN. "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 fear prices will be sent skyrocketing. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it "goes without saying that Iran was up to no good". "This could go south in the most tremendous way for Australia and I did see a sense of gloating and hubris from the United States," he told Seven's Sunrise show on Monday. "That is alright if it is the end of the game, but if this takes the next step we are all going to be involved." 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. Australia has supported US strikes on Iran to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as Anthony Albanese calls an urgent national security meeting. After days of escalation, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The prime minister convened the National Security Committee on Monday morning, with public comments likely to follow. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue to prevent a "full-scale war" in the Middle East. "We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, and that is what this is," she told Nine's Today show on Monday. "It's what happens next is what the world is focused on." The foreign minister 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 and Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC's RN. "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 fear prices will be sent skyrocketing. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it "goes without saying that Iran was up to no good". "This could go south in the most tremendous way for Australia and I did see a sense of gloating and hubris from the United States," he told Seven's Sunrise show on Monday. "That is alright if it is the end of the game, but if this takes the next step we are all going to be involved." 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. Australia has supported US strikes on Iran to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as Anthony Albanese calls an urgent national security meeting. After days of escalation, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The prime minister convened the National Security Committee on Monday morning, with public comments likely to follow. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue to prevent a "full-scale war" in the Middle East. "We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, and that is what this is," she told Nine's Today show on Monday. "It's what happens next is what the world is focused on." The foreign minister 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 and Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC's RN. "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 fear prices will be sent skyrocketing. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it "goes without saying that Iran was up to no good". "This could go south in the most tremendous way for Australia and I did see a sense of gloating and hubris from the United States," he told Seven's Sunrise show on Monday. "That is alright if it is the end of the game, but if this takes the next step we are all going to be involved." 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. Australia has supported US strikes on Iran to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, as Anthony Albanese calls an urgent national security meeting. After days of escalation, the US launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared "there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran". The prime minister convened the National Security Committee on Monday morning, with public comments likely to follow. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue to prevent a "full-scale war" in the Middle East. "We support action to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, and that is what this is," she told Nine's Today show on Monday. "It's what happens next is what the world is focused on." The foreign minister 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 and Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC's RN. "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 fear prices will be sent skyrocketing. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it "goes without saying that Iran was up to no good". "This could go south in the most tremendous way for Australia and I did see a sense of gloating and hubris from the United States," he told Seven's Sunrise show on Monday. "That is alright if it is the end of the game, but if this takes the next step we are all going to be involved." 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.
