Australia has condemned Iran’s missile strike on a US base in Qatar and warned of the “devastating” global consequences if the countries escalate.
Iran retaliated after US bombers dropped bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear sites at the weekend, joining Israel’s air war against Iran.
Iran targeted the Al-Udeid US air base in Qatar with “powerful” missiles on Monday night, local time.
Qatar’s government said it had successfully intercepted the missile attack and no deaths or injuries were reported.
In response, Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Iran’s attack.
“We do not want to see further escalation,” she wrote on social media site X on Tuesday.
“A full-scale war in the Middle East would be devastating for the people of the region and the world.
“Australia continues to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
US military officials said no US bases in Iraq were targeted but that a malfunctioning Iranian missile aimed at Israel triggered an alert in Iraq earlier in the day.
Senator Wong urged Australians travelling abroad to register with Smartraveller, and pointed to cancellations of flights and airspace closures.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday backed the US intervention in the conflict between Iran and Israel, after Washington ordered the bombing of three Iranian underground nuclear sites in the country’s west.
Mr Albanese said Iran should not have access to nuclear weapons, while reaffirming the need for diplomacy and restraint.
Cabinet minister Mark Butler said the government was still trying to evacuate about 3000 Australians registered for assistance to depart Iran, and more than 1000 in Israel.
“We’ve been trying to do all that we can, particularly in land crossings,” he told Nine’s Today show on Tuesday.
“We had a flight we thought might be able to leave Israel yesterday, but because of the security situation, that wasn’t able to happen again.
“But our foreign affairs staff are working day and night to explore every possible opportunity to help Australians get out of there.”
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s attack was unsuccessful, with no Americans harmed and “hardly any damage done”.
“Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE,” Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Mr Trump also thanked Iran for giving the US notice prior to shooting missiles at the military base.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,” he said.
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