The Albanese Government has issued its first statement regarding the American bombing of Iran.
American President Donald Trump announced the ‘very successful attack’ on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning.
An Australian Government spokesman said just hours later it has ‘been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security’.
‘We note the US president’s statement that now is the time for peace,’ he said.
‘The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.
‘Australians in Israel and Iran and the region should continue to monitor public safety information provided by local authorities, including to shelter in place when required.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be communicating directly with registered Australians about preparations for assisted departures.’
However, the government stopped short of expressing its support for the attack.
The Albanese Government has commented on America’s bombing of Iran (pictured, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
The US hit three Iranian nuclear sites – Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan (pictured)
The statement was attributed to an ‘Australian government spokesman’, rather than the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Trump revealed the US had struck the three nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan – on Sunday through social media.
‘Congratulations to our great American warriors,’ Trump wrote.
‘There is not another military in the world that could have done this.
‘Now is the time for peace.’
He followed with another statement in all-caps just three hours later, writing: ‘ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.’
During an address to Americans, Trump warned the ‘spectacular military success’ was not a one-off attack.
‘Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal,’ he said.
US President Donald Trump (left) announced the bombing of Iran on Sunday, labelling it a ‘very successful attack’
Fordow (pictured) was believed to be located 80m to 90m below the surface, meaning only a US ‘bunker buster’ bomb could damage it
‘But if peace doesn’t come quickly we will go to those other targets with precision, speed and skill.’
Prior to Trump’s announcement, Australian officials across the political spectrum had voiced concern about escalating conflict in the Middle East.
At least 430 people have been killed and another 3,500 injured in Iran, according to Iranian media outlet Nour New, since Israel’s bombing began at 3.30am on the morning of Friday 13th, local time.
Local Israeli authorities reported 24 civilian deaths and almost 1,300 injuries.
The conflict began when Israeli forces attacked Iranian nuclear and military targets on June 13.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strike was due to Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities, including the ability to produce a nuclear bomb.
Iran has insisted its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful. The beginnings of its nuclear program can be traced back to the 1950s when it joined America’s Atoms for Peace initiative.
The day before Israel attacked, Iran’s International Atomic Energy Agency had announced it was able to enrich 34 kilograms of uranium to 60 per cent each month.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured) said Australian military personnel are in the Middle East to assist with evacuations, not to engage in combat
Isfahan (pictured) is a Nuclear Technology Centre and holds three Chinese research reactors and laboratories
The enrichment far exceeded that needed for a civilian nuclear reactor – between three and five per cent – raising alarm bells it could be looking to create weapons.
Looking at the three nuclear sites targeted by the US on Sunday, two were enrichment facilities and one was a research hub – partially shared with China.
Natanz is located about 220km southeast of Tehran, Iran’s capital, and is considered the country’s largest uranium enrichment facility.
It features six above-ground buildings and three underground structures, which were already targeted by Israeli forces.
Uranium at the site had been enriched up to 60 per cent.
Fordow was likely the main focus for American assault as it is buried deep under a mountain, beyond Israel’s capability of reaching.
The enrichment facility is located some 100km south-west of Tehran and is smaller than Natanz.
Fordow is believed to sit deeper than the underwater Channel Tunnel connecting the UK and France at around 80m to 90m below the surface.
Military experts believed only a US ‘bunker buster’ bomb, called the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), would be strong enough to damage Fordo.
Several nuclear facilities in Iran have been targeted by Israel since June 13 (pictured, damage at Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre following an Israeli drone strike on June 14)
The last site, Isfahan, is a Nuclear Technology Centre located about 350km southeast of Tehran.
Thousands of scientists work at the facility and it includes three Chinese research reactors and laboratories.
The Albanese Government has repeatedly insisted Australia is not a central player in the conflict, which was triggered in mid June when the Israeli military launched attacks on Iran in what it claimed was a bid to wipe out Iran’s nuclear program.
Australia has deployed defence assets to the region to assist in evacuation efforts, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong repeatedly maintaining they are not there to engage in combat.
About 2,600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1,200 in Israel as the government urges travellers not to venture to either nation.
Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have evacuated the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan.
Some Australians have already left through land crossings but the government is also poised to help citizens leave once the airspace over both nations re-opens.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Greens spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs David Shoebridge demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‘choose to be a force for peace not for war’ by ending the AUKUS pact.
Albanese (pictured with Ambassador of Australia to the United States Kevin Rudd) did not meet with Trump at last week’s G7 Summit as the American leader left early
‘With US President Trump’s bombing of Iran showing clearly that he is no friend of peace, and the Albanese Government must distance Australia from these actions,’ he said.
‘That means ending the AUKUS agreement, prohibiting the use of US military bases in Australia, including Pine Gap, from being used in this conflict, and clearly opposing military action by the US and Israel against Iran.
‘Like every war, the cost will not be carried by governments, but by people, families and communities who face destruction.’
Greens leader Larissa Waters similarly called for Albanese to leave AUKUS, claiming Australia must have an ‘independent foreign policy’.
‘This is a terrifying and catastrophic escalation by the USA, and Australia must condemn it,’ she said.
‘From Iraq to Afghanistan, we have seen Australia follow the US into devastating and brutal wars that have done untold damage to the people of the Middle East.
‘We know that you cannot bomb your way to peace.
‘Only when countries like Australia push back and hold to principles and international law and back them up with material actions, will there be a chance for peace.’
Albanese has not directly commented on Trump’s decision to bomb Iran (pictured, workers at Isfahan)
Liberal leader Sussan Ley on Sunday afternoon said her Opposition party backed the US.
‘The Coalition supports actions taken by the United States of America to ensure that the Iranian regime is stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons,’ she said.
‘It was made clear by the International Atomic and Energy Agency on June 12 that Iran was in breach of its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.’
Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott similarly applauded the US.
‘Israel is doing the world’s work in trying to destroy forever the Iranian nuclear weapons programme and it’s good that America has supported its ally,’ he wrote online.
Albanese has not yet made a direct statement regarding the American attack on Iran.
The news comes one week after the US leader snubbed the PM during the G7 Leaders Summit in Canada.
The pair were set to meet on Tuesday but the president left early, citing urgent developments in the Middle East.
Following Trump’s early departure from the G7 Summit last week, it is unclear when he and Albanese (pictured) will meet
It was the latest agitation in a series of swipes between the US and Australian leaders – including Trump’s spokespeople repeatedly demanding Australia up its defence spending, a US review of the AUKUS submarine deal and the imposition of trade tariffs.
Albanese seemingly turned his focus to European leaders, writing on Wednesday: ‘Australia is deepening our trade, security and defence ties with the EU.
‘Today we’ve agreed to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership.
‘This will be a framework for our current and growing collaboration in areas like defence industry, cyber, and counter-terrorism.
‘And we’re resuming negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, which will mean more jobs in Australia and Europe.’
Albanese appeared to be holding out hope that Trump would attend the upcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands, which begins Tuesday.
However, the escalating conflict in Israel-Iran made it increasingly unlikely the president would attend.
So, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will attend in his place.
The announcement was made in spite of French President Emmanuel Macron’s encouragement to Albanese he attend the NATO meeting and an invitation from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make a pitstop at London’s 10 Downing Street.
It is now unclear when Albanese and Trump will meet.
