Abbott Backs Continued US Strikes on Iran Nuclear Facilities

Former PM says Australia should show 'full-throated support' for military action against Tehran regime

Credit: Tony Abbott FB page

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called for continued US military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities Tuesday, saying the "apocalyptic Islamist regime" in Tehran must never gain access to nuclear weapons.

In an interview with ABC's afternoon briefing, Abbott defended recent US bombing campaigns against Iranian nuclear infrastructure and suggested America should complete the mission if initial strikes proved insufficient.

"Having started the job, it's absolutely important that the job be done properly," Abbott told host Patricia Karvelas. "The job in this case, bravely begun by Israel and powerfully continued by the United States, is to ensure that this Islamist apocalyptic regime never, ever, ever gets access to nuclear weapons."

Abbott's comments come amid reports of Pentagon leaks suggesting US strikes may not have completely destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent military action.

The former Liberal leader, who served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015, characterized Iran's government as committed to establishing "a global caliphate" and cited the regime's "death to Israel, death to America" rhetoric as justification for preventive military action.

"It's in the interests and in the values of all liberal democratic countries that the current Iranian regime never gets access to nuclear weapons," Abbott said.

When pressed about whether he would encourage the US to launch additional strikes, Abbott said American officials believe "the job's finished" but expressed hope that President Trump was correct in claiming the attacks had "absolutely obliterated for all time Iran's nuclear weapons facilities."

Abbott also criticized Australia's response to the US military action, arguing the government should have demonstrated more robust support for America's intervention in the Middle East conflict.

Calls for Military Base Transparency

The former prime minister addressed growing calls for greater transparency regarding expanded US military presence on Australian soil, following comments from Coalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie about the need for more public disclosure.

"As a general principle, of course there needs to be full transparency," Abbott said, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining "closest possible harmony with our major ally."

Abbott deflected detailed questions about base operations, saying he didn't want to "get distracted into other topics" from his primary message supporting US action in Iran.

The comments come as Australia hosts increasing numbers of US military personnel and equipment under various defense cooperation agreements, including the stationing of Marines in Darwin and expanded joint training exercises.

Ukraine Support and 'Axis of Autocracy'

Abbott expressed concern about President Trump's apparent lack of enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine against Russian invasion, despite praising the administration's Middle East policy.

The former prime minister described what he called an "axis of autocracy" consisting of "militarist Moscow," "Islamist Tehran," and "communist Beijing" that he said were "working in concert" to "overthrow the Liberal Democratic West."

"I obviously think that it's important for the Europeans to do more to help Ukraine," Abbott said. "They're not just fighting for their own freedom and independence, they're fighting for everyone's freedom and independence."

Abbott argued that Ukraine's struggle represented a test case for smaller nations worldwide, warning that if Ukrainian "freedom and independence is snuffed out by a much bigger bully, then no smaller country anywhere can rest safe."

When asked about Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin, Abbott suggested the president's "shrewd understanding" of Iran indicated he could "get it right about Moscow" as well.

AUKUS Acceleration Proposal

Abbott proposed accelerating Australia's submarine acquisition under the AUKUS partnership by securing retiring US Los Angeles-class submarines for immediate deployment, potentially with composite crews.

"Every year there's one or two LA class subs that the Americans are retiring," Abbott said. "I'd be amazed if it's not possible to get some years of extra service out of those subs."

The proposal would involve deploying retired US submarines under Australian flag, potentially with American skippers, while Australia awaits delivery of Virginia-class submarines scheduled to begin in seven years.

Abbott compared the arrangement to the early Royal Australian Navy, which he said consisted of "British ships with British crews" but operated under Australian sovereign control and government direction.

"Anything that's flying our flag responds to the direction of the Australian Government," he argued.

The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and United States is currently under review, with the UK recently completing its own assessment that yielded positive results.

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