Australia is concerned the situation in the Middle East could swell into a larger conflict after the US moved bomber planes.
The B-2 bombers were shifted to the Pacific Island of Guam as President Donald Trump considers whether the US should join Israel’s strikes against Iran.
Though it is unclear whether the deployment is linked to the tensions in the Middle East, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said he would not speculate on the why the US had moved its planes.
“We are worried about the prospect for escalation here and this entering into some wider kind of conflict,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“We’ve been urging dialogue and diplomacy and we continue to do that now.”
The federal government has repeatedly insisted Australia 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.
At least 430 people have been killed and another 3500 injured in Iran according to Iranian media outlet Nour News, while local Israeli authorities have reported 24 civilian deaths and almost 1300 injuries.
Opposition frontbencher Dan Tehan insisted the easiest way to reach a resolution was for Iran to state it will not pursue nuclear weapons and allow independent verification.
But Mr Tehan took issue with the federal government’s relationship with Israel, claiming Labor politicians “seem to have isolated themselves from the Israeli government”.
“This has left them in a situation where they’re trying to walk two sides here,” Mr Tehan told Sky News.
“What we need to see from the government is greater moral clarity as to whether they do, once and for all, want to see Iran get rid of its nuclear weapons program.”
Mr Marles maintained Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program was “most definitely a threat” to the peace and stability of the world, while also expressing concern about the conflict’s escalation.
“Both of those things can sit together,” he said.
“We recognise Israel’s right to defend itself and we very much acknowledge the risk that the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile program represents.”
France and other Australian allies have also echoed similar positions.
About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation.
Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs are helping Australians leave and defence assets are expected to be deployed to assist evacuation efforts.
However, the government has insisted they will not be used in combat.
Some Australians have already evacuated through land crossings but the government is also poised to help citizens leave once the airspace over both nations re-opens.
With Reuters
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