Israel-Iran war: Australia’s position questioned after Albanese silent as US launches strikes on Iran

Anthony Albanese has faced criticism for his silence after key ally the United States “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear bases, with no senior Labor figures fronting the cameras following the historic strikes.

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the US launched overnight strikes on three Iranian facilities, joining Israel’s push to cripple Tehran’s nuclear program.

Senior Coalition figures slammed the Government for being “too ambiguous” with its position after leaving their official response on Sunday to an unnamed government spokesperson.

The statement raised questions about whether the government supports or opposes the strikes.

Instead, it labelled Iran’s nuclear program a threat to international peace and called for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”.

Shortly after the brief and carefully worded remarks, Opposition leader Sussan Ley and shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie issued a joint statement supporting the actions.

They labelled it “proactive action” as Iran was on its “last step” to acquiring nuclear weapons, adding “while Australians will never seek conflict in the world we can never forget that the Iranian regime is a militantly theocratic autocracy”.

Mr Hastie, later speaking to reporters in Perth, slammed the government’s response as being “far too ambiguous”.

The strikes triggered a wave of global commentary, with international relations experts, defence analysts, and former Australian and world leaders weighing in on what’s being called one of the most consequential and risky US military decisions in decades.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer said how Australia responded “will be defining’, warning it would be a historical moment in relations with its key ally.

“We’ve been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation,” he posted in a statement to X.

“Australia’s response to the US action in Iran will be defining. Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran’s nuclear program.”

The intervention crossed a red line long avoided by past administrations to avert full-scale war but Mr Downer likened it to Churchill sinking the French fleet in WWII as a strategically necessary act to prevent a greater threat.

Former Liberal PM’s Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott joined NSW Senator Dave Sharma in publicly supporting the strikes to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities

Mr Morrison labelled it “a necessary event” after Tehran “completely rejected” negotiation efforts, claiming “there were no other options available to the President”.

“President Trump has been very clear about seeking to get an agreement with Iran. This was completely rejected,” he said.

Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan accused the Albanese Government of isolating itself from Israel and urged it to show “greater moral clarity” on opposing Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

“They seem to have isolated themselves from the Israeli government. I think that has left them in a situation where they’re really trying to walk two sides here.”

Former home affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo also joined the chorus saying the Albanese government can’t leave the US to do the world’s “dirty work” and “should voice its support”.

While Mr Albanese was absent on Sunday, Defence Minister Richard Marles spoke to Sky News — though only before the strikes occurred.

“We have used our voice to urge de-escalation. And that’s our position in respect of both the Iranian program, but also, more specifically, in respect of this conflict,” Mr Marles said, less than an hour before news broke.

He said Australia was now working to provide evacuation support to nearly 4000 Australians, 2600 in Iran and 1200 in Israel seeking assistance.

He said Australia had military and charter planes on standby but were hampered by closed airspaces.

The planes, which include C-17 and a KC-30 capable of carrying hundreds, are at the El Minhad base near Dubai where Australia personnel have been bolstered from 40 to about 300.

Mr Marles said land evacuations from Israel through Jordan are underway, and consular officials have been deployed to Azerbaijan to assist citizens crossing from Iran.

It comes two days before Mr Marles attends the NATO summit in the Netherlands, after the Prime Minister’s decision not to attend, having “considered” it following a missed meeting with Mr Trump at last week’s G7 in Canada.

While several politicians at home welcomed US strikes, several nations and leaders condemned the actions and expressed concern for a widening war, including Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Cuba.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America,” the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X.

The swathe of concern came as US President Donald Trump threatened more strikes if Iran doesn’t surrender.

“If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier. Remember, there are many targets left,” he told a Washington press conference on Saturday local time.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table” over its nuclear ambitions but stopped short of a full throated endorsement of the US carried out strikes.

UK business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, however, on Sunday told Sky News the British government was aware of the US’ plans but did not take part.