Israel-Iran war: 'No way' Australia will deploy combat troops in the Middle East, former US ambassador says

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.”

Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the Government has refused to even entertain the possibility of military involvement.

When Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed the Government would deploy defence assets to assist evacuation efforts, she repeatedly emphasised that they were not there for combat purposes.

And in the immediate aftermath of the US strikes, a Government spokesperson said they “note the US President’s statement that now is the time for peace” while continuing to call for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.

While the Coalition has insisted it does not want war, acting foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the opposition supported the US bombings and claimed it was a “necessary action to take”.

However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a “terrifying and catastrophic escalation” with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians.

Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia’s respond to the bombings would be defining.“Australia should welcome US bombing of Iran’s nuclear program,” Mr Downer said on X.

“We’ve been a US ally since 1951 as well as a consistent supporter of nuclear non-proliferation.”

About 2600 Australians in Iran are seeking assisted departures from the region, alongside about 1200 in Israel as the Government urges travellers not to venture to either nation.

Staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs have been evacuated from the Tehran embassy and are helping Australians leave through the border in Azerbaijan.

Mr Sinodinos warned the future of Iran was uncertain as strikes could lead to the collapse of the country’s regime.