Australia news and politics live: Australia supports US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities

After authorising B-2 pilots to drop an enormous payload of bombs on Iranian nuclear targets as part of Operation Midnight Hammer, US President Donald Trump has suggested Iran’s Government may need to be toppled.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change’, but if the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change???” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding “MIGA!”.

Mr Trump in another post confirmed that the pilots who dropped the bombs on Iran were back on US soil.

“The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!” he wrote.

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US military and intelligence officials have detected signs that Iran-backed militias are preparing to launch attacks on US bases in Iraq and possibly Syria.

According to The New York Times, a US official said the groups have so far held back, with Iraqui authorities actively working to dissaude them from taking action.

The development follows a worldwide security alert issued by the US State Department urging Americans to exercise heightened caution.

The US State Department has just issued a “worldwide caution” alert for Americans travelling overseas in light of the conflict in the Middle East.

While​​ DFAT has been regularly updating security advice​​ for specific countries to Australians abroad via Smartraveller, the Americans have taken a blanket approach.

“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” it said.

“There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”

The Shadow Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie, is claiming credit for the Government’s shift in language after Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was supportive of the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.

Mr Hastie questioned why it took so long for the Government to provide a clear endorsement while speaking on ABC Radio’s National Breakfast program.

“I’m glad that Penny Wong has essentially endorsed our position, and I’m glad we have bipartisanship on this,’ he said.

“I think, though, what yesterday demonstrated was that the Prime Minister’s flat-footed… his instincts aren’t great on this, and he should have called an NSC (National Security Committee) meeting yesterday for an event of such significance.”

The NSC meeting will take place on Monday morning, coinciding with the weekly cabinet meeting.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told Sunrise that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to speak today on the United States’ strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

When asked why the Australian Government had initially responded through an unnamed spokesperson, Senator Wong said: “I would make this point, we have been, I think, very up-front and clear over these last days and weeks as we see what is happening in the Middle East.”

“The Government’s position and our position today is consistent with what I have been saying, what the Prime Minister has been saying for many days now.”

Senator Wong reiterated that the Government supports the US action aimed at stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but stressed that attention must now turn to what comes next.

“I know there’s a lot of focus on what happened over the last 24 hours, but we do have to focus on what happens next, because this is a time where we do need to prevent and avert any further escalation into a full-scale war.”

“That’s why the Government has called for diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Iran to return to negotiations with the United States, warning that the global situation is growing increasingly volatile.

“It’s obviously a very precarious, risky, and dangerous moment the world faces,” she told ABC AM.

“But that is why you’ve seen statements from world leaders, who have said we need to reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

“That’s what Prime Minister (Keir) Starmer has said. That’s what the E3 — that’s the UK, France, and Germany — have said: that we have to get to a point where diplomacy is operative because the consequences of continued escalation for the world and for the people of the region are so dire.”

Senator Wong also confirmed that the US has not requested Australian military support for its ongoing operation.

“That is not being sought and I wouldn’t be speculating on that,” she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has encouraged Australians to closely follow travel advice if planning to travel in the near future.

She said the Government is receiving ongoing guidance from security agencies and will update travel advisories as needed.

Senator Wong also urged Australians to “guard against feelings about the conflict and any aspects of the conflict being brought here into Australia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has revealed that around 1300 people in Israel and 2900 in Iran have registered for assistance with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Wong said the ever-changing situation on the ground meant it’s “very difficult” to get Australians out of both countries.

She says the Government is trying to arrange a repatriation flight out of Israel, should the airspace open.

“Regrettably, because of the escalation in military action, we were not able to consider land border crossings out of Israel at this stage,” she told the ABC.

“There are reports of airspace being opened for a short period into Israel. If we are able to do so, we will…see if we can get a flight in and out.”

She described the situation in Iran as “even more serious” as the airspace is currently closed.

Senator Wong reiterated that ADF personnel have been deployed to the border of Azerbaijan to help those who make the land crossing.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Government supports the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“The world has long agreed Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that,” Senator Wong told the ABC.

“The strikes are on facilities, which are designed for the purpose of a nuclear program.”

“We know that the UN nuclear watch dog has said that Iran has enough heavily enriched uranium to enable...several nuclear weapons.”

“So, like others in the international community, we do not want Iran to get a nuclear weapon.”

Australia is considering its next steps after one of its closest allies joined with Israel to bomb Iran, exacerbating volatility in the Middle East.

After days of growing escalation, the US unleashed strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday (AEST) as President Donald Trump declared, “there will be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran”.

The Australian Government has urged all parties to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue since Israel first launched strikes in mid-June.

Although some have raised questions about whether Australia should do more to support its ally, former Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the Government was unlikely to get involved in combat.

“There’s no way we would put troops on the ground,” he told AAP.

“I don’t think the Government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do.

“I’d be very surprised if there’s anybody saying that we, automatically as a result of what the US has done, are now part of that conflict.”

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