The Albanese Government has issued its first statement regarding the American bombing of Iran.
American President Donald Trump announced the ‘very successful attack’ on three Iranian nuclear sites Sunday morning, AEST, drawing a clear alliance with Israel.
An n Government spokesperson said just hours later that it has ‘been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security’.
‘We note the US president’s statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy’ they said.
‘ns in Israel and Iran and the region should continue to monitor public safety information provided by local authorities, including to shelter in place when required.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be communicating directly with registered ns about preparations for assisted departures.’
However, the government stopped short of expressing its support for the attack.
The statement was attributed to an ‘n government spokesman’, rather than the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Trump revealed the US had struck the three nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan – on Sunday through social media.
‘Congratulations to our great American warriors,’ Trump wrote.
‘There is not another military in the world that could have done this.
‘Now is the time for peace.’
He followed with another statement in all-caps just three hours later, writing: ‘ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.’
During an address to Americans, Trump warned the ‘spectacular military success’ was not a one-off attack.
‘Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal,’ he said.
‘But if peace doesn’t come quickly we will go to those other targets with precision, speed and skill.’
Prior to Trump’s announcement, n officials across the political spectrum had voiced concern about escalating conflict in the Middle East.
At least 430 people have been killed and another 3,500 injured in Iran, according to Iranian media outlet Nour New, since Israel’s bombing began at 3.30am on the morning of Friday 13th, local time.
Local Israeli authorities reported 24 civilian deaths and almost 1,300 injuries.
The conflict began when Israeli forces attacked Iranian nuclear and military targets on June 13.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strike was due to Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities, including the ability to produce a nuclear bomb.
The federal government has repeatedly insisted is not a central player in the conflict, which was triggered in mid June when the Israeli military launched attacks on Iran in what it claimed was a bid to wipe out Iran’s nuclear program.
has deployed defence assets to the region to assist in evacuation efforts, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong repeatedly maintaining they are not there to engage in combat.
About 2,600 ns in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1,200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation.
Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have evacuated the Tehran embassy and are helping ns leave through the border in Azerbaijan.
Some ns have already left through land crossings but the government is also poised to help citizens leave once the airspace over both nations re-opens.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Greens spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs David Shoebridge demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‘choose to be a force for peace not for war’ by ending the AUKUS pact.
‘With US President Trump’s bombing of Iran showing clearly that he is no friend of peace, and the Albanese Government must distance from these actions,’ he said.
‘That means ending the AUKUS agreement, prohibiting the use of US military bases in , including Pine Gap, from being used in this conflict, and clearly opposing military action by the US and Israel against Iran.
‘Like every war, the cost will not be carried by governments, but by people, families and communities who face destruction.’
Greens leader Larissa Waters similarly called for Albanese to leave AUKUS, claiming must have an ‘independent foreign policy’.
‘This is a terrifying and catastrophic escalation by the USA, and must condemn it,’ she said.
‘From Iraq to Afghanistan, we have seen follow the US into devastating and brutal wars that have done untold damage to the people of the Middle East.
‘We know that you cannot bomb your way to peace.
‘Only when countries like push back and hold to principles and international law and back them up with material actions, will there be a chance for peace.’
Albanese has not yet made a direct statement regarding the American attack on Iran.
The news comes one week after the US leader snubbed the PM during the G7 Leaders Summit in Canada.
The pair were set to meet on Tuesday but the president left early, citing urgent developments in the Middle East.
It was the latest agitation in a series of swipes between the US and n leaders – including Trump’s spokespeople repeatedly demanding up its defence spending, a US review of the AUKUS submarine deal and the imposition of trade tariffs.
Albanese seemingly turned his focus to European leaders, writing on Wednesday: ‘ is deepening our trade, security and defence ties with the EU.
‘Today we’ve agreed to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership.
‘This will be a framework for our current and growing collaboration in areas like defence industry, cyber, and counter-terrorism.
‘And we’re resuming negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, which will mean more jobs in and Europe.’
Albanese appeared to be holding out hope that Trump would attend the upcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands, which begins Tuesday.
However, the escalating conflict in Israel-Iran made it increasingly unlikely the president would attend.
So, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will attend in his place.
The announcement was made in spite of French President Emmanuel Macron’s encouragement to Albanese he attend the NATO meeting and an invitation from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make a pitstop at London’s 10 Downing Street.
It is now unclear when Albanese and Trump will meet.
More to come…