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A pair of RAAF C-17 Globemasters has reportedly landed in Dubai to repatriate Australians from Iran and Israel.
Israeli and Iranian airspace has been closed due to the escalating conflict between the two long-time adversaries, leaving around 4,200 Australians stranded. If repatriation flights go ahead, it would be at least the third time in three years that Australians have been evacuated from the region.
“Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft have deployed to the Middle East in non-combat roles under Operation Beech 2025 to assist Australian government efforts to support Australians seeking to leave the region,” the Department of Defence said.
“This is as a precautionary measure to support Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-led whole-of-Australian-government contingency planning and delivery of support to Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals in the region.”
In a doorstop at Parliament House on Monday morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said around 2,900 Australians and their families in Iran, and 1,300 Australians and their families in Israel, have registered for assistance and are seeking to leave. No Australian officials currently remain in Iran.
“The situation is very difficult. Airspace remains closed, certainly in Iran it is a very difficult situation. You have heard me previously urging Australians and their families to leave if they believe they can do so safely,” she said.
“We’ve deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijani border, so if Australians do get there, we can provide them with support.
“In relation to Israel, there are reports that the airspace may open for a limited period. Obviously this is very fluid, but we are seeking to make arrangements to utilise that window if we are able. And we have advised Australians on the ground of that fact.
“Again, I emphasise we are seeking to utilise this opportunity but the situation on the ground is uncertain and fluid and risky.”
The minister would not speculate on how long those flights might take, saying there are “so many variables in play”.
“We will seek to assist when we can and wherever we can. The situation is unstable and the situation is fluid,” she said.
In a radio interview, the Foreign Minister also addressed reports that international airlines such as British Airways and Singapore Airlines have cancelled or adjusted flights to the region, and whether Qantas would be advised to do the same.
“I have asked my department to consider whether or not we need to update, or there’s any changes required to travel advice. So, we will look very closely at that in relation to airlines, obviously, they make decisions based on their assessment including what government is saying,” she said.
“We would just encourage travellers to make sure that they liaise with their airlines about any closures. There’s obviously airspace closures in that region, so you can understand why some carriers have made that decision for a range of reasons.”
The RAAF and commercial airlines have previously evacuated Australians from Israel in late 2023, and from Lebanon last year.
