Australia has walked back its neutral stance over Donald Trump‘s strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, with the Albanese Government now declaring its support of the disgraced U.S. president.
Speaking on Sunrise this morning, Senior Minister Tanya Plibersek told Sunrise on Monday that the government now supports U.S. strikes against Iran, as spied by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We do support the strikes,” Plibsersek said. “We certainly don’t want to see full-scale war in the Middle East. It is a very delicate and different time and we would encourage Iran to come back to the negotiating table.”
Catch the full segment below:
Following Trump’s social media announcement of the strikes, an unnamed government spokesperson within the Australian Government gave a statement that reaffirmed concerns about the dangers posed by Iran’s missile and ballistic missile programs, while taking no position on the U.S. decision to launch strikes.
“We note the US president’s statement that now is the time for peace,” the statement read. “The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
As for the Opposition, they supported the US and Israeli position that Trump’s air strikes were a necessary part of the fight against Iran developing nuclear weapons, which Iran has expressly denied.
Senior Minister Tanya Plibersek announces Australia’s support of Trump’s attack on Iran. (Credit: Sunrise)
Meanwhile The Greens have argued that the strikes are illegal under international law.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong insists there were no delays in the government announcing its stance, despite other countries making their position clear the day prior to Australia’s announcement.
“I don’t accept that characterisation,” she said on Today.
“These sites are specific to Iran’s nuclear program,” Wong said. “And we know what the UN nuclear watchdog has said… that Iran is enriching to almost military levels.”
Speaking on ABC’s News Breakfast, Wong said: “The world has agreed Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. So yes, we support action to prevent that. And that is what this is.
“The big question is, now what? And Australia says, like so many other countries, we do not want escalation and a full scale war and we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy.”
When probed about the legality of the strikes, Senator Wong said: “I think we are all clear that Iran… cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. So yes, the government does support action to prevent that.”
In retaliation of Donald Trump’s strike on Iran, the Iranian parliament has voted to close the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about a potential surge in oil prices and the risk of a global recession.
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