The Australian government announced Sunday that it was considering several requests for assistance from countries targeted by Iranian attacks amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Canberra clarified, however, that it had no intention of participating in direct military operations against Iran.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated in a televised address that several countries not involved in the conflict had requested assistance to bolster their defenses. "Many countries not participating in this conflict have been attacked by Iran. It is therefore natural that we are being asked for help, and we will consider these requests with the utmost care," she affirmed.
Australia, a close ally of the United States, nevertheless emphasized that it did not plan to deploy troops to the Middle East, even if the situation were to worsen. The government insists that its support would be limited to forms of defensive assistance.
Asked about the possibility of Australia helping to protect certain countries from Iranian drone and missile attacks, Penny Wong confirmed that this option was indeed being considered in the ongoing discussions.
Canberra says it wants to deal with these requests for help in accordance with its diplomatic position, which prioritizes regional stability and the protection of threatened partners while avoiding direct military involvement in the conflict.
The announcement comes as the war involving Iran gradually spreads across the region, with strikes and attacks affecting several Middle Eastern countries, raising increasing concerns among Western allies and their partners.
