Australia Warns Israel Over Staff Safety as 1,250 Citizens Seek Evacuation from Middle East

Credit: Sen. Penny Wong FB page

Foreign Minister Penny Wong disclosed that 1,250 Australians have registered to leave Iran and Israel as escalating Middle East tensions prompted direct diplomatic warnings to the Israeli government about the safety of Australian personnel in Tehran.

Wong told ABC's Afternoon Briefing that approximately 650 Australians and their dependents in Iran have sought assistance to leave, along with around 600 in Israel, as airspace closures prevent immediate evacuation efforts.

"We are prioritising the safety of our personnel and their dependents in Tehran to ensure that they are in the safest possible position," Wong said. "And I would say we've also made our expectations as to the safety of our staff very clear with the Israeli government."

The revelations came as Israeli Defense Forces claimed to have killed Ali Shadmani, described as Iran's highest military commander, though the claim remains unconfirmed. The announcement added to escalating tensions that forced President Donald Trump to leave the G7 summit early, canceling a planned meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Direct Diplomatic Warnings

Wong confirmed Australia had made "appropriate representations" to Israel through multiple diplomatic channels about protecting Australian staff, given Israel's control over aerial bombardment targeting.

"The location of aerial bombardment is obviously in Israeli hands and you would expect that we have made appropriate representations both through me but also through other diplomatic channels," Wong said.

When pressed about concerns for Australian government workers in Tehran, Wong emphasized safety as the paramount concern.

"The safety of our staff and their families is of the utmost priority and that's how we are responding," she said.

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