Albo declares his full support for US air strikes on Iran - after the Islamic dictatorship 'directed' at least TWO attacks on Australian soil: 'State sponsor of terrorism'
Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran's Islamic regime, as flights from Australia to the Middle East turn around.
The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
'We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,' Albanese said in a statement on Saturday night.
'Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation.
'We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so.'
Last year, Australia categorised the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism following the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador over allegations he directed attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne.
These included a firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, 2024, and an arson attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney two months earlier.
'Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression,' Albanese said in his statement.
Anthony Albanese has declared his support for a series of joint US-Israeli missile attacks on Iran's Islamic regime
The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
An Etihad flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was turned around
'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.
'Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty.'
The government has upgraded Australia’s travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to 'Do Not Travel', with the warning: 'Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so'.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region.
According to FlightRadar24, Qatar Airways and Etihad planes turned around just hours after taking off from Australian cities for Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
The prime minister added that his government has called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.
'These calls have gone unheeded. 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.'
Suren Edgar, 42, who moved to Australia from Iran in 2014, said Iranian-Australians watching from afar are experiencing deeply mixed emotions
President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran with thick black smoke seen rising into the sky
A vehicle explodes into flames after the US carried out strikes on Iran
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also issued a statement on Saturday night, offering prayers to the Iranian people and saying: 'May courage prevail'.
'The theocratic Iranian regime is authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent,' he said.
'Since 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government in Tehran has oppressed, imprisoned and murdered Iranians.
'It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies - Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
'It is also responsible for acts of foreign interference in Australia and igniting antisemitism.'
Suren Edgar, 42, who moved to Australia from Iran in 2014, told the Daily Mail Iranian-Australians watching from afar are experiencing deeply mixed emotions.
'For Iranian-Australians, this is deeply personal. Communication with Iran is currently unstable,' he said.
'Internet access is disrupted and phone lines are unreliable, making it extremely difficult to check on family members.
A Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha was turned around
People run for cover following explosions in Tehran on Saturday
'People here are anxiously trying to reach parents, siblings and loved ones, often without success.'
Mr Edgar said some communications that have made it over said a portion of Iranians are sharing 'visible relief and even celebration' while others remain afraid for their safety.
'Many believe this escalation is the consequence of the Islamic Republic’s long-standing regional aggression, threats against other nations, and support for armed groups such as Hamas,' he said.
'There is also a painful truth: no foreign power has killed more Iranians than the Islamic Republic itself.
'The greatest loss of Iranian life in modern history has come at the hands of its own rulers.
'There is fear — but there is also hope that this moment may finally open a path to change, and that one day Iranians will be free to determine their own future.'
US President Donald Trump vowed to topple Iran's Islamic regime during an address on Saturday morning local time.
He warned there may be 'US casualties' but said the 'objective is to defend the American people by eliminating the imminent threats from the Iranian regime'.
But officials have said Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has not been seen in public for days, is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location.
Iran said there would be a 'crushing response' with explosions rocking northern Israel shortly after 8am on Saturday morning.
The Israeli military said it had identified ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems operating to 'intercept the threat'.
Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi sparking fears the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war.
