Operation Beech: Penny Wong confirms ADF deployment to support Australians amid rising tensions in Middle East

Australia is sending military aircraft and personnel into the Middle East to assist with evacuating citizens and foreign nationals, as the Federal Government ramps up preparations amid worsening regional tensions.

Defence assets have been deployed under Operation Beech, a precautionary mission aimed at supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) efforts to help Australians exit the region if required.

The deployment includes two RAAF aircraft configured to transport passengers and a contingent of Army and Air Force personnel, who will not be involved in combat roles but will be ready to assist if the situation deteriorates.

The Government confirmed the operation is part of a whole-of-government contingency plan in response to the volatile security environment.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the decision to withdraw some diplomats and their families from Iran had not been taken lightly.

“Generally, we have a very volatile security situation in Iran,” she told reporters.

“I am sure people know that we do not have to cast our minds back too far in history to understand the risk to foreign officials in Iran in times of unrest.”

More than 1200 Australians in Israel have now registered for DFAT support.

Around 80 have already been evacuated in recent days, with efforts ongoing to move others to Jordan via bus while airspace remains restricted.

Senator Wong made clear the Defence assets are not being deployed for combat purposes, but to provide humanitarian support once skies reopen.

“We are doing this as part of preparing contingency plans post the airspace becoming open,” she said.

“I also emphasise that we are sending defence assets to help Australians — they are not there for combat.”

DFAT remains the lead agency for consular support and will continue to provide updates to registered Australians in affected regions.