Australia Closes Iran Embassy, Evacuates All Officials Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
Australia suspended operations at its Tehran embassy and ordered the immediate departure of all diplomatic staff and dependents Friday as the security situation in Iran deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the decision during a press conference in Adelaide, saying the government acted after consultation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
"It is not a decision taken lightly," Wong said. "It is a decision based on the deteriorating security environment in Iran."
The embassy closure leaves approximately 2,000 Australians and their family members registered in Iran seeking to depart with extremely limited consular support. Another 1,200 Australians in Israel also want to leave the region, Wong said.
"Unfortunately, at this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground," Wong told reporters. "The airspace remains closed."
Australia's ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to coordinate the government's crisis response, but will operate from outside Iranian territory. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including border crossings, to assist Australians leaving Iran overland.
Wong urged Australians in Iran "who are able to leave to do so now if it is safe." Those unable or unwilling to depart were advised to shelter in place.
The government updated its travel advice twice this week as conditions worsened. Iran has launched missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital strike in Israel that Wong specifically condemned.
"We've seen missile strikes. We've seen strikes on civilian targets. We've seen a loss of life in both countries," Wong said. "We've seen a strike on a hospital by Iran, on an Israeli hospital."
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The Australian Defence Force is deploying personnel and aircraft to the Middle East as part of Operation Beach 2025, but Wong emphasized the mission focuses solely on evacuation contingencies.
"I emphasise that we are sending defence assets to help Australians. They are not there for combat," Wong said.
The military deployment represents preparation for potential evacuation operations once Iranian airspace reopens. Current missile exchanges between Iran and Israel have forced the closure of civilian air traffic, making overland routes the only viable exit option for stranded Australians.
Wong revealed she spoke overnight with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the conflict and bilateral cooperation. The conversation covered regional security issues and the AUKUS submarine agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"We had a good discussion about the way through this conflict," Wong said. The foreign minister declined to reveal whether Rubio requested Australian military support for potential US strikes against Iran.
"No such request was made," Wong said when asked directly about military assistance.
Australia has operated diplomatic relations with Iran since 1968, spanning multiple regime changes. Wong indicated the government hopes to reopen the embassy once security conditions improve, despite fundamental disagreements with Iran's current leadership.
"We have always believed that you don't just have diplomatic relationships with people with whom you agree because you have to have the capacity for dialogue," Wong said.
The foreign minister called for immediate de-escalation and diplomatic engagement, pointing to statements by US President Donald Trump suggesting a two-week window for negotiations.
"There is an opportunity over the next two weeks for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy," Wong said. "That is what we want to see, and that is what the world wants to see."
Wong demanded Iran halt any nuclear weapons development and return to international negotiations. The call echoes growing international pressure on Tehran to engage diplomatically rather than escalate military actions.
"Iran must come to the table, and it must stop any nuclear weapons program," Wong said.
For Australians currently in Israel, the government arranged bus transportation to Jordan. Wong reported 38 people departed overnight in addition to a smaller group the previous day. She acknowledged the approaching Sabbath would complicate weekend evacuation efforts.
Some Australians have resisted leaving both countries, preferring to wait for commercial flights once airspace reopens. Wong noted not everyone registered for departure actually wishes to leave immediately.
The embassy closure represents Australia's most significant diplomatic withdrawal from Iran in recent memory. Wong referenced historical precedents of risks to foreign officials during periods of Iranian unrest, though she declined to specify which incidents influenced the decision.
"We don't have to cast our minds back too far in history to understand the risks to foreign officials in Iran in times of unrest," Wong said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs activated its Crisis Response Team to coordinate evacuation efforts. Officials are working with partner countries to identify additional exit routes and provide support for stranded citizens.
The security situation has prompted other nations to review their diplomatic presence in Iran. Australia's decision could influence similar moves by allied countries as the conflict shows no signs of immediate resolution.
Wong acknowledged the extreme difficulty facing Australians seeking to leave Iran without embassy support. The eight-hour drive to Azerbaijan represents the closest viable border crossing from Tehran.
"We are really conscious it is extremely difficult. And I wish it were not so," Wong said. "I wish that we had more capacity to assist."
The foreign minister expressed hope that diplomatic efforts could prevent further escalation, but prepared for extended crisis management if violence continues.
Australia maintains it will not serve as a central player in any military response, focusing exclusively on protecting its citizens and supporting diplomatic solutions.
The embassy suspension creates logistical challenges for maintaining diplomatic dialogue with Iran, but Wong indicated Australia would seek alternative communication channels to preserve the relationship established over more than five decades.
"We'll see in the future if we're able to reopen. I hope we are able to," Wong said.
The crisis tests Australia's ability to protect citizens in volatile regions while balancing alliance commitments and diplomatic neutrality in rapidly evolving conflicts.
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