CANBERRA February 28, 2026 – Australia has thrown its full support behind the United States and Israel’s military strikes on Iran, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring that the Iranian regime has lost all legitimacy and affirming Canberra’s solidarity with the Iranian people.
In a detailed statement released on Saturday evening, just hours after US and Israeli forces launched coordinated pre-emptive strikes on Iranian targets in Tehran and other cities, Albanese said: “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.”
The Prime Minister accused the Iranian regime of being a long-standing destabilising force through its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, support for armed proxies, and “brutal acts of violence and intimidation”. He specifically referenced at least two Iran-directed attacks on Australian soil in 2024 targeting the country’s Jewish community, which prompted Australia to expel Iran’s Ambassador, suspend operations at its embassy in Tehran, and list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Australia has since imposed sanctions on more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals, including over 100 tied to the IRGC.
“A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy,” Albanese stated, pointing to the regime’s violent crackdown that has left thousands of Iranian civilians dead.
He added that Australia, together with the United States and G7 partners, has repeatedly called for the Iranian regime to respect human rights — calls that have been ignored.
On Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Albanese said: “It has long been recognised that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security. The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.”
He explicitly backed US action: “We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security.”
Travel warnings upgraded amid escalation
Citing heightened security risks in the region, Australia has upgraded its travel advice for Iran to “Do Not Travel” and urged Australians in the country to leave immediately if it is safe to do so. Similar “Do Not Travel” warnings have also been issued for Israel and Lebanon.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has activated its Crisis Centre. Australians needing urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas). Consular support in Iran is extremely limited.
The statement was issued jointly with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong.
The developments follow reports of major explosions across Iranian cities and Iranian retaliation with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US facilities in the Gulf. US President Donald Trump has described the operation as “major combat operations” aimed at eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.
This marks Australia’s firm alignment with its key allies in what has rapidly become the most serious escalation in the Middle East in years.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments.
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