Latest news with #AustralianDefenceForce
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Aussie reporter describes fleeing from Iranian missiles to a bunker that 'did not exist'
An Australian reporter has shared the terrifying moment she had to run for cover from a missile strike in Israel while reporting on escalating tensions in the Middle East. Channel 7's Europe Correspondent Jacquelin Robson told Sunrise she was reporting with her camera crew on Friday when she received an urgent alert to seek shelter. The group rushed towards what they believed to be a safe haven only to discover it was nonexistent. 'Some locals called us over to a bunker, but we soon discovered that bunker didn't exist,' Robson said on Saturday. 'When the final siren sounded, we had no choice but to run and find shelter. 'We managed to squeeze between a few buildings.' Robson said Israel successfully intercepted a missile fired from Iran during the incident. 'Two direct hits were reported during this wave of attacks,' she said. There were no fatalities, though several injuries were reported, along with significant damage to buildings. The strike occurred amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as the Australian Government works to evacuate citizens stranded in both nations. The Australian Defence Force has deployed personnel to bring overseas citizens home with the support of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Registrations are now open for Australian citizens and permanent residents seeking assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). So far over 3000 people have registered for evacuation support. The department has announced Australians in Israel are being offered evacuation to Jordan via private bus. Options for land departures from Iran are also being explored. DFAT's current travel advisory for Israel, Iran, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is 'Do Not Travel '. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced on Friday the Embassy in Iran had been evacuated due to security concerns. 'The Australian Government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at our Embassy in Tehran, based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran,' she said. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including at border crossings, to assist Australians leaving Iran.' Wong has also held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the ongoing conflict.
7NEWS
a day ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Australian military deployed to help Middle East evacuees
The military is being called in to help Australians trying to leave Iran and Israel, after the US gave itself two weeks to decide on whether to join the conflict between the Middle Eastern nations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed the government was not sending in the Australian Defence Force in combat roles, but only to assist citizens and residents. She said any Australians left in Iran should leave if they can after closing the Australian embassy in the capital, Tehran, and ordering all diplomatic staff to depart. 'We are sending defence assets to help Australians — they are not there for combat,' Wong said. 'I wish that we had more capacity to assist, but the difficult reality is, the situation on the ground is extremely unstable.' The defence personnel and aircraft are part of contingency plans to help Australians leave if and when the now-closed airspace in Israel and Iran reopens. Some Iranian consulate staff have been sent to the closest land crossing in Azerbaijan to help Australians still in the nation. Those attempting to leave for a neighbouring state have been warned to consider the risks, as borders may close without notice and roads are exposed to attacks. There are also different visa rules for many of the bordering nations including Armenia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Australians have been advised not to travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or parts of Pakistan that border Iran. Iran and Israel have continued to trade strikes after the Israeli military began its attack a week ago in a bid to wipe out Iran's nuclear program. Overnight, US President Donald Trump, who has kept the world guessing about whether the US might join the war on Israel's side, said he would make a decision within two weeks. He noted there was a 'substantial chance' of negotiations with Iran. Trump has demanded Iran unconditionally surrender, saying he knew where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of 'all-out war' if the US joins the fray. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1300 others, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Israel says Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people and wounded hundreds. The Australian government has repeatedly urged all parties involved to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue. 'Given what President Trump has said, there is an opportunity over the next two weeks for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy,' Senator Wong said. 'That is what we want to see and that is what the world wants to see. 'Iran must come to the table and it must stop any nuclear weapons program.' More than 2000 Australians have registered for assistance to leave Iran, up from 1500 on Thursday. The government has already helped Australians flee Israel using a border crossing to Jordan. There are still more than 1200 Australians registered for assistance to depart Israel, where the airspace is also closed.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Deputy PM refuses to say if Chinese warships targeted Australian cities
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if Chinese warships were 'targeting our cities' when they carried out exercises off Australia's vast coast earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force revealed in February it was tracking two People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea, off Queensland. They passed within 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney as they moved south and conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea without notifying Canberra or air traffic controllers. The Albanese government has kept tight-lipped on what the Chinese flotilla's mission was, even amid fears AUKUS could be on the rocks, Australia trailing its allies in defence spending and warnings Beijing poses an 'imminent' threat to the region. Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, on Monday told News Corp's Defending Australia Summit the Chinese live-fire drills was 'very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy'. 'None of that provides strategic reassurance,' he said. Asked point blank if they were rehearsing strikes on Australian cities or onshore facilities, Mr Marles said he did know but would not confirm or deny. 'Look, I do know the answer to the question,' he said. 'I don't think it's appropriate or helpful for me in this situation to speculate about it for a range of reasons … and the most significant being what we did with the Chinese task group was to engage in an unprecedented level of surveillance on that task group. 'So we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing. 'For me to start talking about that obviously reveals our surveillance capabilities, which is why I'm reluctant to.' Mr Marles added the Chinese ships were 'very clear about what they were doing'. 'Perhaps I would say that I think I don't think there are any capabilities that were put on display there which are particular surprise,' he said. 'And we were also, as I say – being able to surveil that task group in the manner which we did also sends an important statement.' 'Great power contest' The Trump administration has been calling on Canberra to dramatically boost military spending amid concerns China could make a move on the democratically self-governed island of Taiwan by 2027. Aside from torching the decades-long status quo, a Chinese move on Taiwan would deal a major blow to the global supply of semiconductors – crucial components in modern tech – and massively disrupt vital trade routes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month told Mr Marles that Australia's defence budget 'should' be 3.5 per cent of GDP 'as soon as possible' during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. In a read out, the US Embassy said the two senior officials 'discussed aligning investment to the security environment in the Indo-Pacific, accelerating US force posture initiatives in Australia, advancing defence industrial base co-operation, and creating supply chain resilience'. Mr Hegseth also used his address at the conference to warn that Beijing posed an 'imminent' threat to the Indo-Pacific. 'Let me be clear, any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,' Mr Hegseth said. 'There's no reason to sugar-coat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent. 'We hope not but certainly could be.' While the Albanese government has pushed back on boosting the ADF's budget, Mr Marles acknowledged at the Defending Australia Summit that China's military build-up was the 'most significant … that we have seen since the end of the Second World War'. 'And it shapes the region in which we live, and it means that Australia's geography today is more relevant to great power contest than it has been at any point since the end of the Second World War, arguably at any point in our history,' he said. 'In terms of our own defence capability needs, our risk is not so much the invasion of the continent. 'We are fortunate that we are an island nation surrounded by oceans, but on the other hand, we are deeply reliant on our sea lines of communication. 'The supply of the country – almost all of our liquid fuels are imported by sea but also through export revenues.' Mr Marles said Australia getting cut off from the world was 'our strategic risk'. 'It's the disruption of those sea lines,' he said. 'It's the coercion that could result because of the disruption of such sea routes. 'It is that, and the stability of the region in which we live. 'Because the defence of Australia is intimately connected with the peace and stability of the Pacific, the peace and stability of Southeast Asia, of Northeast Asia, of the Northeast Indian Ocean.' Originally published as Deputy PM refuses to say if Chinese warships targeted Australian cities
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
China warships question Labor won't answer
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if Chinese warships were 'targeting our cities' when they carried out exercises off Australia's vast coast earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force revealed in February it was tracking two People's Liberation Army-navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea, off Queensland. They passed within 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney as they moved south and conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea without notifying Canberra or air traffic controllers. The Albanese government has kept tight-lipped on what the Chinese flotilla's mission was, even amid fears AUKUS could be on the rocks, Australia trailing its allies in defence spending and warnings Beijing poses an 'imminent' threat to the region. Three Chinese warships carried out live drills off Australia's east coast. Australian Defence Force Credit: Supplied Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, on Monday told News Corp's Defending Australia Summit the Chinese live-fire drills was 'very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy'. 'None of that provides strategic reassurance,' he said. Asked point blank if they were rehearsing strikes on Australian cities or onshore facilities, Mr Marles said he did know but would not confirm or deny. 'Look, I do know the answer to the question,' he said. 'I don't think it's appropriate or helpful for me in this situation to speculate about it for a range of reasons … and the most significant being what we did with the Chinese task group was to engage in an unprecedented level of surveillance on that task group. 'So we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing. 'For me to start talking about that obviously reveals our surveillance capabilities, which is why I'm reluctant to.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says he knows whether Chinese warships were targeting Australian cities when they carried out exercises earlier this year. Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Marles added the Chinese ships were 'very clear about what they were doing'. 'Perhaps I would say that I think I don't think there are any capabilities that were put on display there which are particular surprise,' he said. 'And we were also, as I say – being able to surveil that task group in the manner which we did also sends an important statement.' More to come.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Perilous moment' threatens global economic growth
Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed in the days since Israel launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The two nations have since exchanged air and missile strikes, with Iran vowing to "open the gates of hell" against its sworn enemy. As analysts watch the unfolding violence with concern, leaders are also flagging shocks to the global economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there had already been substantial economic consequences, pointing to a spike in the cost of oil. "This is a perilous moment for the Middle East, and it's a perilous moment for the global economy as well," he told ABC News. "Now this obviously poses two kinds of risks. "Higher oil prices do pose a risk to the inflation outlook, but they also pose a risk to global growth." Dr Chalmers said despite the events, the market's expectations for interest rate cuts in Australia had increased rather than decreased. "What that tells us is that the market is more focused on the implications for global growth," he said. Australia's defence force chief, Admiral David Johnston, called for restraint and for all countries to pursue a diplomatic solution. "The recent strikes between Israel and Iran represent a deeply concerning escalation," he told a News Corp defence summit in Canberra. "The risk of further regional instability is severe, particularly recognising ongoing volatility across the Middle East region in Gaza, Syria and Yemen." Admiral Johnston said all Australian Defence Force personnel assigned to the region were safe, and Defence would continue to monitor events and provide for their protection. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday 350 Australians had registered for help to flee Iran, while 300 had asked for assistance in Israel. Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed in the days since Israel launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The two nations have since exchanged air and missile strikes, with Iran vowing to "open the gates of hell" against its sworn enemy. As analysts watch the unfolding violence with concern, leaders are also flagging shocks to the global economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there had already been substantial economic consequences, pointing to a spike in the cost of oil. "This is a perilous moment for the Middle East, and it's a perilous moment for the global economy as well," he told ABC News. "Now this obviously poses two kinds of risks. "Higher oil prices do pose a risk to the inflation outlook, but they also pose a risk to global growth." Dr Chalmers said despite the events, the market's expectations for interest rate cuts in Australia had increased rather than decreased. "What that tells us is that the market is more focused on the implications for global growth," he said. Australia's defence force chief, Admiral David Johnston, called for restraint and for all countries to pursue a diplomatic solution. "The recent strikes between Israel and Iran represent a deeply concerning escalation," he told a News Corp defence summit in Canberra. "The risk of further regional instability is severe, particularly recognising ongoing volatility across the Middle East region in Gaza, Syria and Yemen." Admiral Johnston said all Australian Defence Force personnel assigned to the region were safe, and Defence would continue to monitor events and provide for their protection. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday 350 Australians had registered for help to flee Iran, while 300 had asked for assistance in Israel. Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed in the days since Israel launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The two nations have since exchanged air and missile strikes, with Iran vowing to "open the gates of hell" against its sworn enemy. As analysts watch the unfolding violence with concern, leaders are also flagging shocks to the global economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there had already been substantial economic consequences, pointing to a spike in the cost of oil. "This is a perilous moment for the Middle East, and it's a perilous moment for the global economy as well," he told ABC News. "Now this obviously poses two kinds of risks. "Higher oil prices do pose a risk to the inflation outlook, but they also pose a risk to global growth." Dr Chalmers said despite the events, the market's expectations for interest rate cuts in Australia had increased rather than decreased. "What that tells us is that the market is more focused on the implications for global growth," he said. Australia's defence force chief, Admiral David Johnston, called for restraint and for all countries to pursue a diplomatic solution. "The recent strikes between Israel and Iran represent a deeply concerning escalation," he told a News Corp defence summit in Canberra. "The risk of further regional instability is severe, particularly recognising ongoing volatility across the Middle East region in Gaza, Syria and Yemen." Admiral Johnston said all Australian Defence Force personnel assigned to the region were safe, and Defence would continue to monitor events and provide for their protection. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday 350 Australians had registered for help to flee Iran, while 300 had asked for assistance in Israel. Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates. Hundreds of people, including civilians, have been killed in the days since Israel launched a surprise assault on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The two nations have since exchanged air and missile strikes, with Iran vowing to "open the gates of hell" against its sworn enemy. As analysts watch the unfolding violence with concern, leaders are also flagging shocks to the global economy. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there had already been substantial economic consequences, pointing to a spike in the cost of oil. "This is a perilous moment for the Middle East, and it's a perilous moment for the global economy as well," he told ABC News. "Now this obviously poses two kinds of risks. "Higher oil prices do pose a risk to the inflation outlook, but they also pose a risk to global growth." Dr Chalmers said despite the events, the market's expectations for interest rate cuts in Australia had increased rather than decreased. "What that tells us is that the market is more focused on the implications for global growth," he said. Australia's defence force chief, Admiral David Johnston, called for restraint and for all countries to pursue a diplomatic solution. "The recent strikes between Israel and Iran represent a deeply concerning escalation," he told a News Corp defence summit in Canberra. "The risk of further regional instability is severe, particularly recognising ongoing volatility across the Middle East region in Gaza, Syria and Yemen." Admiral Johnston said all Australian Defence Force personnel assigned to the region were safe, and Defence would continue to monitor events and provide for their protection. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday 350 Australians had registered for help to flee Iran, while 300 had asked for assistance in Israel.
