Foreign Minister says Middle East facing ‘dire consequences’ as war looms between Israel and Iran

Australia’s top diplomat is warning of “dire consequences” as Israel and Iran trade deadly strikes.

Australia’s top diplomat is warning the Middle East faces “dire consequences” as all-out war looms between nuclear-armed Israel and Iran.

The two foes have been trading deadly strikes since Israel’s “pre-emptive” attack targeting Iran’s nuclear program on Friday.

The Israeli offensive came after the UN’s atomic watchdog declared Iran was breaching its obligations, with inspectors admitting they could not say if the Islamic republic’s nuclear program was “exclusively peaceful”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Sunday Iran’s “risk to international security” was well-known, but kept tight-lipped on whether the Albanese government backed Israel’s intervention.

Israeli strikes on Iran have killed senior military officials and nuclear scientists. Picture: Atta Kenare / AFP

“We know, the world knows, that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program is a threat to international peace and security,” Senator Wong told the ABC.

“And we know that Iran has been found by the UN watchdog to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations – this is why we all have sanctions against Iran because we understand … the risk to international security.

“What I would say is the key issue is not ‘is there a threat’ – there is, we all know that.

“It’s whether or not in response to it we increase the risk of regional escalation and that would have dire consequences to the people of the region.

“So that is why Australia has said we urge de-escalation, we urge restraint, we urge dialogue and diplomacy, and that call has been reflected by like-minded and partners.”

Pressed on whether she agreed with Israel’s decision, she repeated her call “to de-escalate and exercise restraint”.

Pressed further on whether she thought the move was justified and legal, Senator Wong said that “Israel has a right to self-defence” and that it was not about legality.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is warning the Middle East faces ‘dire consequences’ as all-out war looms between nuclear-armed Israel and Iran. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“The question here is what do we do now?” she said.

“We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel.

“What do we do about it? And how do we respond in a way that lessens the risk of more civilians particularly in the region being brought into this conflict.”

‘Tomorrow matters’

Neither Israel nor Iran have shown any signs of backing down, only pledging to intensify attacks.

In the early hours of Sunday, Israel hit a major oil refinery in the Iranian capital Tehran.

As of reporting, efforts were still underway to contain the blaze.

At least nine nuclear scientists have been killed, according to the Israeli military.

Iran has confirmed several senior military officials have also been killed and defence ministry buildings — including its Tehran headquarters — damaged.

The Israeli military has not ruled out targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Israeli Prime Minister Benhamin Netanyahu vowing to continue striking Iran “for as many days as it takes” to destroy its nuclear program.

At least three people have been killed in Iranian strikes on northern Israel. Picture: Menahem Kahana / AFP

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have said at least three people were killed by Iranian missile strikes in northern Israel.

Emergency services also said several residential buildings in central Israel were hit.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

In her remarks on Sunday, Senator Wong said she had spoken with her Iranian counterpart and urged “restraint”.

“Obviously, it’s a perilous time for many in the Middle East,” she said.

“It is a risky time and … we have engaged closely with the Israeli government through our ambassador in Tel Aviv and through the ambassador here.

“I also spoke, after liaising with partners, to the Iranian Foreign Minister and this is precisely the same message I put to him — that we urge restraint because whatever people’s views about what has occurred to date, what happens tomorrow matters to all peoples in the region.”

Senator Wong said she “directly put to the Iranian Foreign Minister: ‘We are saying to you, exercise restraint, return to diplomacy and dialogue’”.

“Because continuing to escalate this has consequences for all peoples of the region and I think that is a position that so many countries in the world are putting to not only the Iranians, but also to the Israelis,” she said.

Our Embassies in the Middle East are currently closed. If you need emergency consular assistance, contact the Australian Government's Consular Emergency Centre on [phone] (if you're overseas) and 1300 555 135 (in Australia). pic.twitter.com/xezo3LHVNd

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) June 14, 2025

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Saturday confirmed Australia’s embassies in the Middle East have been closed.

DFAT has set up crisis portals for Australians in Israel and Iran.

It has also advised citizens in Iran to “shelter in place”.

Iran shut its airspace “until further notice”.

Originally published as Foreign Minister says Middle East facing ‘dire consequences’ as war looms between Israel and Iran