In the midst of rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Australia has come up with a major step of evacuating its citizens from war-hit countries.
The Australian government has deployed military assets to the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is deploying personnel and aircraft to the Middle East to help evacuate Australian citizens once the currently closed airspace reopens.
Moreover, she told the media, “I also emphasise we are sending defence assets to help Australians. They are not there for combat.”
Senator for South Australia, Penny Wong, also said that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will send a response team to Azerbaijan to support Australians who leave Iran without government assistance.
Australia suspends Embassy operation in Tehran
Earlier on Friday, the government announced that Australia had suspended its embassy operations in Tehran and directed all officials and their dependents to leave Iran.
On t, about 2,000 Australian citizens in Iran and 1,200 in Israel had registered with DFAT for government assistance to evacuate.
Furthermore, Wong added, “We urge Australians who can leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe. Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place.”
India evacuates students from war-hit nations
Amidst rising tension between war-hit nations, Iran and Israel, the Indian government evacuated 110 students from northern Iran under ‘Operation Sindhu’.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the evacuation with a statement. The statement read, “The Indian Embassy has evacuated 110 Indian students from northern Iran, assisting them in safely crossing into Armenia on 17 June 2025.”
Moreover, the Israel Defence Forces announced that it had carried out a series of overnight airstrikes in Tehran, targeting dozens of sites linked to Iran’s missile and nuclear weapons programmes.
Also Read: US Military Movements Spark Speculation Of Involvement In Iran-Israel Conflict
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