Australia joins global exodus from Iran as war nears tipping point

Australia has closed its embassy in Tehran and dispatched military personnel to the Middle East as fears mount over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which now threatens to spiral into a full-blown regional war.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the move on Friday, June 20, 2025,  describing the security situation in Iran as “deeply volatile.”

She confirmed that Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft and troops are now being positioned in the region to support potential evacuation missions for citizens and diplomatic staff.

“This is a prudent and precautionary step,” Wong said in a press briefing.

“Given the instability in Iran and the rising threat level, we have suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran and are activating our contingency plans.”

The ADF troops, she stressed, will not participate in any combat roles.

Their mission is focused strictly on evacuation and crisis support once Iranian airspace reopens.

The embassy shutdown follows a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, now entering a second week of open hostilities.

Iran has responded with retaliatory missile launches against Israeli targets, pushing the region to the brink.

Australia’s ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, has already exited the country and will remain in the region to coordinate evacuation operations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed that over 2,000 Australians and dual nationals in Iran have registered for consular assistance.

To assist with departures, Australian crisis response teams are being deployed to Azerbaijan, with consular staff stationed at key border crossings.

“We are preparing to help any Australian citizen who can reach the border,” Wong said. “The Azerbaijan-Iran border is the most viable exit route at this point.”

Asked about coordination with allies, Wong confirmed she had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the conflict but said no request had been made for Australian military involvement should the U.S. enter the war.

The closure marks one of the most serious diplomatic actions by Australia since the outbreak of the Gaza-Israel conflict last year, highlighting the severity of the current security threat.

Meanwhile, U.S. forces have also begun repositioning in the region, with reports of missile submarines and aircraft carriers moving into strategic positions in the Gulf.

President Donald Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to formally enter the Israel-Iran conflict.

As international evacuations begin and embassies go dark, the world braces for what could become the most dangerous escalation in the Middle East in over a decade.

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