Thousands of Australian travellers remain stranded in the Middle East as tensions escalate between Iran, Israel and the US following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Much of the airspace over the region remains closed, impacting flights between Australia, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed a DFAT portal has opened to assist Australians impacted.
“On estimates we have about 115,000 Australians in the region, so there are a lot of Australians in the region,” Wong said.
“Our first priority is to do everything we can to keep Australians safe.
“Obviously it’s very difficult at the moment to provide a great deal of assistance in circumstances where flights are being cancelled, disrupted and airspace is closed.
“This is a very volatile situation, I can understand the distress and fear and worry that many Australians are feeling, those who are in the region but also families.
“We will continue to provide as up to date and timely information as we can and I would urge people who are needing assistance to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Three US Soldiers have been killed in action and five seriously wounded, while nine civilians have died in an Iranian missile strike near Jerusalem.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” Central Command said.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has ruled out any Australian involvement in the conflict.
“There’s a lot of Australian Iranians right now who are super worried about friends and family who are in Iran,” Plibersek said.
“I’ve got friends and family more broadly in the Middle East right now trying to get home back to Australia,
“Our focus right now is making sure that Australians can safely get home. And there’s a 24 hour, seven day a week consular assistance line that people can call for help if they’ve got friends and family trying to get out. And of course, we will be doing whatever we can.”
