Australia Evacuates Embassy Staff as 3,000 Citizens Trapped in Iran After U.S. Strikes
Australia withdrew its embassy staff from Tehran and deployed personnel to Azerbaijan's border Monday as more than 3,000 Australian citizens and their families remained trapped in Iran following U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the emergency evacuation during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, describing the situation as "very distressing for Australians" as closed airspace prevents normal exit routes.
"We have deployed people to the Azerbaijani border in the event that more Australians are able to exit through that border," Wong said, outlining contingency plans for citizens seeking to flee the country.
The diplomatic withdrawal represents a significant escalation in Australia's response to regional tensions, with Wong acknowledging the "difficult decision" came after careful consideration of Iran's history and security advice.
"We were very conscious of the history in Iran," Wong said, referencing previous hostile actions against Western diplomatic missions. "The advice to me which I discussed with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister was to ensure we got our people out."
The evacuation mirrors previous Australian embassy withdrawals in conflict zones, including Ukraine during Russia's invasion. Wong noted that such decisions "occur from time to time" but emphasized the gravity of current circumstances in Iran.
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