'Distressing': Hundreds of Aussies trying to flee Iran and Israel
Foreign Minister Penny Wong shared the statistics today while urging for a decrease in tensions on the fourth day of the conflict.

She mentioned that approximately 350 Australians in Iran and 300 in Israel have enlisted with the authorities for assistance in leaving the area.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks to the media from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade crisis centre on Monday, June 16, 2025.(AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

The recent conflict was initiated by Israel’s attack on Iran’s key military officials, uranium enrichment facilities, and nuclear scientists, which it deemed necessary to prevent its historical foe from advancing towards developing an atomic weapon.

Iran asserts that its nuclear activities are peaceful, and the U.S. and other entities have confirmed that Tehran has not been striving for a nuclear weapon since 2003. Nonetheless, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency has consistently cautioned that the nation possesses ample enriched uranium to manufacture multiple nuclear weapons should it opt to do so.

Iran has retaliated by firing waves of ballistic missiles at Israel. The back-and-forth has raised concerns about all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

– Reported with Associated Press

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