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| Israel striking Iran ‘risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile’, Australian foreign minister says | Israel striking Iran ‘risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile’, Australian foreign minister says |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Penny Wong urges all parties to ‘prioritise dialogue and diplomacy’ after Israel hits dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities | Penny Wong urges all parties to ‘prioritise dialogue and diplomacy’ after Israel hits dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities |
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| The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says the government is “alarmed” by Israel’s strikes on the Iranian capital, Tehran, warning the attacks risk further destabilising the region. | The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, says the government is “alarmed” by Israel’s strikes on the Iranian capital, Tehran, warning the attacks risk further destabilising the region. |
| The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel had launched “preemptive strikes” on Iranian military facilities. | The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel had launched “preemptive strikes” on Iranian military facilities. |
| Wong told reporters on Friday that the Australian government was “alarmed by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran”. | Wong told reporters on Friday that the Australian government was “alarmed by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran”. |
| “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions,” she said. | “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions,” she said. |
| “We all understand … the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. It represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.” | “We all understand … the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. It represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.” |
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| Wong said she had spoken to the Israeli ambassador on Thursday. | Wong said she had spoken to the Israeli ambassador on Thursday. |
| The foreign affairs minister was asked whether Australian military or diplomatic staff would be withdrawn from Tehran and the region. | The foreign affairs minister was asked whether Australian military or diplomatic staff would be withdrawn from Tehran and the region. |
| “You should assume that we take the safety of Australians very seriously, the Australians who work either in the ADF or in our other posts overseas through various other agencies, and we will always take the appropriate action on that,” Wong said. | “You should assume that we take the safety of Australians very seriously, the Australians who work either in the ADF or in our other posts overseas through various other agencies, and we will always take the appropriate action on that,” Wong said. |
| The minister told Australians in the region to monitor the Smartraveller website for travel advice. | The minister told Australians in the region to monitor the Smartraveller website for travel advice. |
| The Coalition said it too was “concerned” about further escalation. | The Coalition said it too was “concerned” about further escalation. |
| “The Coalition is concerned about the escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and encourages dialogue between both countries,” leader of the opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash, wrote on X. | “The Coalition is concerned about the escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and encourages dialogue between both countries,” leader of the opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash, wrote on X. |
| “We expect the government to prioritise the safety of Australian personnel and their families. We also call on Iran to stop its sponsorship of terrorism, including backing Hamas and Hezbollah.” | “We expect the government to prioritise the safety of Australian personnel and their families. We also call on Iran to stop its sponsorship of terrorism, including backing Hamas and Hezbollah.” |
| Greens senator David Shoebridge said the attacks risked “tipping the world into a larger war”. | |
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| Shoebridge said the party condemned the action by Israel. | Shoebridge said the party condemned the action by Israel. |
| “The Australian government must call on Israel to step back from military brinkmanship and engage with international legal processes and diplomatic solutions,” he said on Friday. | “The Australian government must call on Israel to step back from military brinkmanship and engage with international legal processes and diplomatic solutions,” he said on Friday. |
| “Israel’s actions threaten to ignite a wider regional conflict that would have devastating consequences for tens of millions of people around the world.” | “Israel’s actions threaten to ignite a wider regional conflict that would have devastating consequences for tens of millions of people around the world.” |
| Wong announced a new $10m aid package for Gaza on Friday to deliver critical medical support and food for children. | Wong announced a new $10m aid package for Gaza on Friday to deliver critical medical support and food for children. |
| “The situation for the people of Gaza is catastrophic. Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies. Schools, hospitals, and homes destroyed,” Wong said. | “The situation for the people of Gaza is catastrophic. Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies. Schools, hospitals, and homes destroyed,” Wong said. |
| “I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own. But as I said, that doesn’t mean you do nothing. We do what we can by working with partners.” | “I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own. But as I said, that doesn’t mean you do nothing. We do what we can by working with partners.” |
| The aid would be delivered through the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanian Organisation, operating field hospitals in Gaza, and through Unicef, Wong said. | The aid would be delivered through the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanian Organisation, operating field hospitals in Gaza, and through Unicef, Wong said. |