Latest news with #DFAT
Hans India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Australia suspends embassy in Iran, directs officials to leave
The Australian government, on Friday, suspended its embassy operations in Iran's capital and ordered officials to leave the country amid the escalating military conflict in the region. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has said that the government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and their dependents from Iran and suspended operations at the embassy in Tehran based on advice about the "deteriorating" security environment. She said in a statement that Australia's Ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government's response to the crisis and that Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) consular staff will be deployed to Azerbaijan to support Australians departing Iran. "We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe. Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place," Wong added. As of Friday, more than 2,000 Australian citizens had registered with DFAT for assistance leaving Iran, Xinhua news agency reported. However, Italy will maintain operations at its embassies in both Tehran and Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, while organising charter flights to assist Italian nationals wishing to leave the two countries, Antonio Tajani, Minister of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it had carried out a series of overnight airstrikes in Tehran, targeting dozens of sites linked to Iran's missile and nuclear weapons programmes. Among the key targets were military industrial facilities used for missile production and the headquarters of Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research. US President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether he will order a strike against Iran in the next two weeks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks," Leavitt said in a statement on Thursday, from Trump who responded to speculation about whether the US would directly get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel.
SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Wong calls for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' after Tehran embassy closure
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so if it is safe, and those who are unable to leave have been advised to remain sheltered in place. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy" after announcing that the Australian embassy in Tehran would close amid continuing hostilities between Iran and Israel. All Australian foreign affairs staff and their dependents in the Iranian capital have been told to leave "based on advice about the deteriorating security environment", Wong said in a statement sent out early this morning. The statement said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was seeking to deploy consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran. DFAT was "in the process of getting a crisis response team into Azerbaijan" to help Australians cross the border from Iran, saying that was their "most likely exit from Tehran", Wong said in Adelaide later on Friday morning. She said Australian military personnel had been deployed to the region to help evacuation efforts. "The deployment is for supporting people; it is not for combat purposes," she emphasised. In the earlier statement, Wong said: "We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe". "Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place," she said. "We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries." "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in Washington, quoting a message from Trump. The conflict between Israel and Iran erupted a week ago, when the former launched an attack against the Islamic republic's missile capabilities, claiming it was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,300 others, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Israel says Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 and wounded hundreds more. Iran has warned of "all-out war" if the US joins the fray. There are now more than 2,000 Australians who have registered for assistance to leave Iran, up from 1,500 on Thursday. "It's a difficult, hard situation, the airspace is still closed," Health Minister Mark Butler told Seven's Sunrise program on Friday. "We'll be exploring every opportunity we can to support people getting out in other ways." "When the opportunity arises to get people out, we take that opportunity," Butler said. There are still more than 1,200 Australians registered for assistance to depart Israel, where the airspace is also closed. At the late morning press conference, Wong also said she'd spoken with her US counterpart Marco Rubio overnight. "We had a good discussion. A good discussion about the way through the conflict and issues in the Australia-US relationship and our bilateral cooperation," she said. "I emphasise there is an opportunity given what president Trump has said. There is an opportunity over the next two weeks for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy." "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."
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Australia updates travel warnings to war-hit Middle East, urges high degree of caution for Qatar
In the updated travel advisory warning, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT ) has elevated its advisory level for Qatar to 'Exercise a high degree of caution.' The list already has a Do Not Travel warning for Israel, Iran , and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The warning comes amid growing instability following fresh conflict between Israel and Iran. The updated travel guidance was released after the intense military tensions escalated in the region. The Israeli military has launched airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities earlier this week. In response, Iran fired missiles into Israeli territory, including a strike that hit a hospital in Beersheba near the command center of the Israeli Defense Forces. The developments have caused alarm worldwide, with fears of a wider regional war. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has warned Australians that international travel routes may be affected, even if they are not flying directly into conflict zones. Airspace closures, cancellations, and sudden diversions are all possible. DFAT noted that flights connecting through countries like Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia could face disruptions if the situation worsens. The Smartraveller website now advises Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution' when travelling to or transiting through much of the Middle East. Live Events This includes popular international stopovers such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. While these locations are not in active conflict zones, the risk of civil unrest or indirect impacts from military action has increased. DFAT is particularly concerned about Australians in Iran and Israel, where conflict is active. Citizens currently in Iran are being advised to shelter in place or prepare to leave once it is safe to do so. The Australian embassy in Tehran has been temporarily closed, and diplomatic staff have been withdrawn. Due to closed airspace and safety concerns, commercial flight options out of Iran and Israel remain limited. DFAT is working on alternative evacuation routes through neighbouring countries such as Azerbaijan. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government is in touch with about 1,500 Australians in Iran and 1,200 in Israel, many of whom are seeking assistance. 'We're focused on helping Australians return safely,' she said, adding that government support will be limited in regions experiencing active conflict.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian embassy to Iran evacuated as security deteriorates
Australian embassy staff in Tehran have been evacuated via road from the Iranian capital as the country's war with Israel escalates in a move that will make it harder to get other Australians out. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday said she had received advice that Iran's security environment was deteriorating, which prompted the evacuation of staff. 'Australia's ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the Australian government's response to this crisis,' Wong's statement said. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran,' Wong said. The closure of the embassy and the swift evacuation of staff risks further criticism being directed at DFAT as thousands of Australians register for help out of Iran or Israel. Loading Wong's statement urged people to leave Iran if it was safe to do so. Those unable to leave were advised to shelter in place. 'At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed,' the statement said. Families have become frustrated with DFAT as some accused the government response of being 'delinquent' as almost 3000 Australians have registered to be evacuated out of Israel and Iran. Some Australians have resorted to chartering ferries and private armoured cars to flee Israel while many in Iran struggle to make contact, let alone evacuate, because of limited internet access.
The Age
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Australian embassy to Iran evacuated as security deteriorates
Australian embassy staff in Tehran have been evacuated via road from the Iranian capital as the country's war with Israel escalates in a move that will make it harder to get other Australians out. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday said she had received advice that Iran's security environment was deteriorating, which prompted the evacuation of staff. 'Australia's ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the Australian government's response to this crisis,' Wong's statement said. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran,' Wong said. The closure of the embassy and the swift evacuation of staff risks further criticism being directed at DFAT as thousands of Australians register for help out of Iran or Israel. Loading Wong's statement urged people to leave Iran if it was safe to do so. Those unable to leave were advised to shelter in place. 'At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed,' the statement said. Families have become frustrated with DFAT as some accused the government response of being 'delinquent' as almost 3000 Australians have registered to be evacuated out of Israel and Iran. Some Australians have resorted to chartering ferries and private armoured cars to flee Israel while many in Iran struggle to make contact, let alone evacuate, because of limited internet access.
