Thousands of Aussies are desperate to escape the chaos in Iran and Israel, and the Australian government is stepping in to help.
The conflict between the two countries is escalating, and the situation is getting more serious by the minute.
The Crisis Unfolds
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced that the Australian embassy in Tehran is closing, and all Aussie staff and their families are being told to leave due to the deteriorating security environment.
But what about the thousands of Australians who are still trapped in Iran and Israel?
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and a crisis team are being deployed to help get them out safely.
The Evacuation Efforts
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is sending a team to neighbouring Azerbaijan to provide border crossing support for those who can make it there.
It’s not going to be easy, though – the journey takes at least eight hours by road, and the airspace is closed. Wong is urging Aussies who can leave to do so ASAP, while those who can’t are being told to shelter in place.
The Numbers Are Rising
There are now around 2,000 Aussies and their families who have registered for assistance to leave Iran, up from 1,500 just a day ago. In Israel, there are around 1,200 people who want to evacuate. The government is working around the clock to get them to safety.
Defence Personnel Deployed
Defence personnel and aircraft are being sent to the Middle East as part of contingency plans to help evacuate Aussie citizens and diplomats when the airspace opens. But don’t worry, this is not a combat mission – it’s all about supporting people in need.
Small Victories
A small group of around 38 Aussies managed to escape from Israel to Jordan by bus overnight, and another group made it out a day earlier. It’s a small win, but every little bit counts in this desperate situation.
The International Community Weighs In
US President Donald Trump is keeping everyone guessing about whether the US will join the war on Israel’s side. He’s said he’ll make a decision within the next two weeks, and the world is watching with bated breath.
The conflict between Israel and Iran erupted just a week ago, and it’s already claimed hundreds of lives.
The Human Cost
Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,300 others, according to a human rights group. Iran is warning of “all-out war” if the US joins the military action, and the situation is getting more dire by the minute.
A Call for Calm
Wong is calling for “de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy” in the region. She’s spoken with her US counterpart Marco Rubio, and they’re both pushing for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Let’s hope that calm heads prevail and that our Aussie travellers can get home safely soon.