An Iranian projectile has struck Australia’s headquarters in the Middle East.
Anthony Albanese confirmed the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates had been targeted by Iranian forces during a press conference in Tasmania.
The Prime Minister said the projectile struck about 9am AEDT on Wednesday, about 2am local time.
‘I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe,’ Albanese told reporters.
‘At this point in time, there was minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility due to a small fire that was created as a result of a projectile hitting a road leading up to that base.’
Up to 100 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently stationed at the airbase, which is about 25km south of Dubai.
When asked if the hit meant Australia was now in a state of war, Albanese replied with a firm ‘no’ and refused to elaborate.
‘I don’t need to elaborate. There’s no need. What we need is proper assessments and statements. That’s what we’ve done.’
An Iranian projectile has struck Australia’s headquarters in the Middle East (pictured)
People are seen being escorted at the Al Minhad Air Base, located 25km south of Dubai
Anthony Albanese confirmed the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates had been targeted during an address in Tasmania on Wednesday
‘We’ve informed people of all the detail at the earliest possible opportunity. This happened just a matter of hours ago.’
Albanese said his government was aware that Iranian forces were deploying ‘random attacks right across the Gulf region’.
But he stopped short of confirming if Australia had been deliberately hit.
‘We don’t have the Iranian intelligence,’ he told reporters.
The base was previously targeted by a drone strike on March 3, with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles confirming the attack at the time.
‘We’ve got north of 100 serving personnel across the Middle East in a range of countries, but most are in the UAE, and that base is very important for us,’ he said.
No injuries were reported.
It comes after Donald Trump turned on Australia during a furious tirade after America’s allies rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz.
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It comes after Donald Trump turned on Australia during a furious tirade after America’s allies rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz
An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq
‘We no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID,’ the US President wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.
‘Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.’
‘In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE.’
On Monday, Transport Minister Catherine King said Australia had not received a request from the US to send a warship to the Strait, and would not send one if asked.
‘We’ve been very clear about what our contribution is in relation to our requests, and so far that is to the [United Arab Emirates], obviously providing aircraft to assist with defence, particularly given the number of Australians that are in that area,’ she said.
‘But we won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is. That’s not something that we’ve been asked or we’re contributing.’
Meanwhile, an emergency national cabinet meeting will be held in an attempt to address fuel shortages and price spikes triggered by war in the Middle East.
Albanese said he would convene a meeting with state and territory leaders on Thursday in Tasmania over concerns about high fuel costs and regional shortfalls.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia would not increase its fuel reserves.
‘If we were to have 90 days in Australia, that would cost billions of dollars over the next four years, billions and billions to build that storage,’ he said.
