Australian leaders have thrown their support behind United States and Israeli attacks on Iran amid reports the Islamic regime’s leader has been killed.
Tehran has been pounded by explosions and air strikes after US President Donald Trump announced a “massive and ongoing” operation to topple the Iranian administration.
It has led global airlines to suspend flights across the Middle East, alongside changes to travel warnings for popular destinations such as Doha and Dubai.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been killed in the strikes, a development Mr Trump described as a “correct story”.
A meeting of Australia’s national security committee, involving Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other senior government ministers, is due to take place on Sunday morning.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has urged Australians to delay all travel to the Middle East, including to the United Arab Emirates.
“Military conflict in the region may result in widespread movement restrictions, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions,” the warning said.
Both Dubai and Doha are popular destinations for Australian expats.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Saturday, saying Australia stood with the people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.
“For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies and brutal acts of violence and intimidation,” Mr Albanese said.
Australia and its international partners called on the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights of its citizens, the prime minister added.
“Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead,” he said.
“A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy.”
Mr Albanese also pointed to recent Iranian attacks on Australian soil, including those targeting Jewish communities.
Iran’s ambassador was expelled in August 2025 after the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation found Tehran was behind at least two anti-Semitic arson attacks on home soil, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor described the current Iranian regime as “authoritarian, anti-Semitic and abhorrent”.
“Since 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government in Tehran has oppressed, imprisoned and murdered Iranians,” Mr Taylor added.
“We pray for the Iranian people at this time. May courage prevail.”
Mr Albanese said a diplomatic crisis centre has been established
“Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited,” he said.
“Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so.”
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