‘Very dangerous’: Update on trapped Aussies as Trump hints US intervention

The number of Australians seeking government help to flee the spiralling conflict in the Middle East has surged as Donald Trump hints at escalation.

Almost 2000 Australians are seeking government help to flee Israel and Iran as the two longtime foes continue trading deadly strikes and Donald Trump hints at US intervention.

The Albanese government has shut embassies across the Middle East, issued do not travel warnings and set up a national crisis team to assist citizens in the region.

Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday “more than 1000 Australians and family members in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories” had registered – more than tripling the number on Monday.

He said a further 870 had registered in Iran, where the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have advised Australians to “shelter in place”.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says nearly 2000 Australians are seeking evacuation from both Israel and Iran. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We’re monitoring developments in that very dangerous part of the world very closely,” the Treasurer told the ABC.

“Obviously, our major focus is on the human cost of this escalating conflict.

“There are economic costs as well. We’re monitoring both of those things, and I’ll be briefed on all of that in the next hour or so.”

Earlier, Richard Marles said there were “thousands of Australians in both Iran and Israel” and that the Albanese government expected the number requests for help would rise.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the “fundamental issue” with evacuating Australians was “that the airspace over both Iran and Israel in fact is closed”.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the national crisis team is considering evacuations from Israel by land. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“But as soon as there is any opportunity to pursue an assisted departure, we will,” the Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News.

Mr Marles said he could not “give a definitive answer” on when that might be.

“What we’re doing is really working up all the options that we’ve got available to us so that when there is an opportunity we are in a position to provide those assisted departures,” he said.

“And in the meantime … we are advising Australians in the region to shelter in place.”

Mr Marles also confirmed DFAT was considering evacuations from Israel by land through Jordan.

“There has been some efforts there, but fundamentally what we are looking at is providing assisted departures by air when there is an opportunity for that to occur,” he said.

“And so they are really the contingencies that we are working up right now.”

US President Donald Trump has hinted the US could get involved in the spiralling conflict between Israel and Iran. Picture: Atta Kenare / AFP

Donald Trump hinted overnight the US could get involved in the conflict.

He posted on social media that the US knew “exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding”, referring to Iran’s leader, Ayotollah Ali Khamenei.

“He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” the US President said.

“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

pic.twitter.com/VoUY2xVnyK

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2025

Minutes later, he posted: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

It came after he hastily bailed on the G7 summit in Canada and warned “everyone” to “evacuate Tehran”.

More to come.

Originally published as ‘Very dangerous’: Update on trapped Aussies as Trump hints US intervention