The Australian government has called for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy in the wake of United States airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, even as the federal opposition voiced full support for the military action led by US President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Trump announced that US forces had dropped “a full payload of bombs” on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, as well as strikes on sites in Natanz and Isfahan, claiming the country’s enrichment infrastructure was “completely and totally obliterated.” In contrast, Iranian state media has reported only limited damage at the Fordow site — a claim not yet independently verified.
Initially, the Albanese government stopped short of endorsing the strikes. A government spokesperson reaffirmed concerns over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program but reiterated Australia’s call for restraint: “The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.”
However, in a noticeable shift in tone, Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed on Monday morning that the government supports the United States’ actions. Speaking on ABC’s News Breakfast, Wong stated that “it is right to call for diplomacy and de-escalation at this point because we do not want to see escalation and a full-scale war in the Middle East” — but also made clear the strikes themselves had Canberra’s backing.
The shift reflects a hardening of the government’s stance, likely in recognition of its alliance obligations and the seriousness of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. When asked whether the US had presented Australia with direct evidence that Iran was nearing nuclear capability, Wong declined to comment, instead referencing public statements by the UN’s nuclear watchdog. She also said the US had made it clear that these were “unilateral strikes,” declining to confirm whether any American military activity involved bases on Australian soil.
Meanwhile, the Coalition has offered unambiguous support. Acting Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie described the strikes as “necessary action” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“Iran is a repressive, theocratic autocracy, and a sponsor of terrorism,” Hastie said. “The Coalition does not want war, but we support the military action taken by the United States.”
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reinforced the message, calling the strikes “proactive action” and urging the government to publicly back its closest strategic ally. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Liberal Senator Dave Sharma were also quick to support the US, with Sharma telling Sky News that it was “essential that Australia supports what the United States has done.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not yet made a personal statement on the developments.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, speaking on Sky News before the strikes were confirmed, said the government recognised Israel’s right to self-defence and shared concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, but warned of the dangers of escalation. “We are concerned about the prospect of this entering into some wider kind of conflict,” he said.
Greens foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge strongly criticised both the US and Australia’s evolving position. “You cannot bomb your way to peace,” he said, adding that “the people who are always going to pay the price are the ordinary people on the street.”
Shoebridge also called on the Albanese government to reject the use of Australian military bases in any future conflict and to “clearly say that Australia will not be a part of this.”
The question of US base access remains unresolved. While Minister Marles has stated Australia maintains “full knowledge and concurrence” of foreign military operations launched from its territory, he has not confirmed whether American forces made use of northern bases in connection to the Iran strikes.
Hastie has called for more transparency and better safeguards: “We need greater clarity about how our alliance with the United States is operationalised in times of conflict. That includes guardrails for combat operations and preserving our sovereignty.”
In his address on Saturday night, President Trump labelled the operation a “spectacular military success” and warned Iran that any retaliation would be “met with a force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
The international community remains on edge. As images of strike sites begin to emerge and diplomatic statements pour in, Australia finds itself walking a careful line between alliance loyalty and the need to avoid deeper entanglement in a volatile region.
With Penny Wong’s endorsement now aligning Australia more closely with the US position, the question becomes not just where this conflict heads next — but how far Australia is willing to follow.
