Latest news with #PennyWong
The Standard
11 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Standard
Australia shuts down Tehran embassy as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly hall at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo
NHK
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- NHK
Some embassies in Iran suspending operations amid Iran-Israel conflict
Some embassies in the Iranian capital of Tehran are now suspending operations amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Friday that her government had directed the suspension of business at the embassy in Tehran. She said it had also instructed the evacuation of Australian officials of the diplomatic mission and their dependents. The Australian ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government's response to the crisis. Wong also urged Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so immediately, if their safety can be ensured. On Thursday, New Zealand said it had suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran. Switzerland has also done so. Reuters news agency reported that Portugal has temporarily closed its embassy, while Bulgaria has temporarily moved its embassy functions in Tehran to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Japan's Foreign Ministry said the Japanese Embassy in Tehran is still in operation.
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Australia closes Tehran embassy
Australia has shut down its embassy in Tehran, citing a worsening security environment as Israeli strikes hit Iranian nuclear facilities for a second time. With the air conflict entering its second week and no sign of either side backing down, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the decision on Friday. 'We have a very volatile security situation in Iran,' Wong told journalists during a press conference. She added that Australian defence forces and aircraft were being deployed to the Middle East to assist with the possible evacuation of citizens and diplomatic staff once airspace reopens. However, she stressed that the personnel would not be involved in any combat operations. 'We do not have to cast our minds back too far in history to understand the risk to foreign officials in Iran in times of unrest,' she said. The embassy closure underscores growing fears that the conflict between Iran and Israel may deepen, drawing in regional and global actors.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Australia withdraws embassy officials from Tehran
Australia's foreign minister announced the country closed its embassy in Tehran Friday and evacuated staff and their families. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it was due to the 'deteriorating security environment,' and urged Australian citizens still in Iran to leave quickly.
Hans India
2 hours 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.
