Citing a worsening security situation as Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities once more and the week-old air war shows no signs of an exit plan from either side, Australia said on Friday that it had ceased operations at its embassy in Tehran.
As part of backup plans to assist in the evacuation of its residents and diplomats if the airspace opens, Australian defense forces and planes are being sent to the Middle East, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong. She stressed that they will not be utilized in combat.
“The security situation in Iran is extremely unstable,” Wong stated at a press briefing. “We don’t need to go too far back in time to comprehend the danger that foreign officials face in Iran during periods of instability.”
