Australia has expressed support for the recent United States strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirming the nation’s long-standing stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, while also calling for a return to diplomacy and calm.

Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Monday, Albanese stated, “The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that.”

He added that Iran’s uranium enrichment to 60%—a level far exceeding that required for civilian nuclear use—left little room for doubt about the country’s intentions. “The information has been clear. There is no other explanation for enrichment to 60% other than a programme not designed for peaceful purposes,” Albanese said.

His remarks followed a May 31 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which warned that Iran had accumulated enough uranium enriched up to 60% to produce nine nuclear weapons, if enriched further. The Prime Minister stressed that Iran’s failure to comply with reasonable international expectations and IAEA regulations had created a dangerous situation.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed Albanese’s sentiments in a series of television and radio interviews, emphasising Australia’s alignment with the US decision while urging restraint.

“We support the action the US has taken to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Wong said during an interview with Seven Sunrise. “But we do not want to see escalation.”

Wong also clarified that while the strike was a unilateral move by the US, Australia stood with its security ally and joined calls from Britain and others for Iran to return to the negotiating table.

The government has taken precautionary steps to safeguard Australians in the region. Wong confirmed that Australia had closed its embassy in Tehran on Friday after consulting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Currently, there are approximately 2,900 Australians in Iran and 1,300 more seeking to leave the country. In Israel, Australia has suspended its bus evacuation operations following the strike but is preparing to resume evacuations if airspace reopens. Two Australian defence aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East in non-combat roles to support civilian evacuation efforts.

Neighbouring New Zealand has also weighed in. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his office was reviewing evidence related to Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined the broader international appeal for de-escalation and a return to dialogue, according to Radio New Zealand.

Melissa Enoch

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