Australia condemns Iranian strike on US base

Courier-Mail

4 hours ago

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Anthony Albanese has welcomed news of a 'ceasefire' in the Middle East just hours after Iran fired missiles at a US air base in the region.
Donald Trump announced the 'complete and total ceasefire' on Tuesday (AEST), saying it would take effect later on Tuesday after Israel and Iran 'wound down' operations already underway.
'It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE … for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!' the US President posted on social media.
'Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.
'During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL.
'On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR.''
The Prime Minister said it was a good step.
'Australia welcomes President Trump's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran,' Mr Albanese said in a statement.
'We have consistently called for dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation.
'The safety of Australians in the region is our priority.
'We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and are deeply concerned about keeping Australians safe.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed news of a 'ceasefire' between Israel and Iran. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The Iranian government has not officially commented on a ceasefire, but state media cited a senior military official as warning Mr Trump of 'more crushing and regrettable responses' if the US struck his country again.
'We warn the foolish and stupid American President … that in case of the repeat of an aggression or attack against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the proud martyr-bearing land of Iran, he will receive more crushing and regrettable responses that will serve as a lesson,' the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander said.
'Devastating'
Iran overnight fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities at the weekend.
The Trump administration said it was informed of the attack beforehand and Qatar was able to shoot down the Iranian missiles without any casualties.
Reacting to the incident, Foreign Minister Penny Wong repeated her call for 'de-escalation', warning against 'full-scale war'.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned against 'full-scale war' in the Middle East. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
'Australia condemns Iran's strikes on US bases in Qatar and Iraq,' Senator Wong posted on social media.
'We do not want to see further escalation. A full-scale war in the Middle East would be devastating for the people of the region and the world.
'Australia continues to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.'
Heath Minister Mark Butler was the first senior minister to front media on Tuesday, appearing on morning shows just after hours of the Iranian retaliation.
He said the government was 'pleased at reports there are no casualties from the attack' and said Iran had a duty to return to the negotiating table.
The Coalition has blasted the Iranian action as 'a violation of Qatari sovereignty'.
Sussan Ley called on the Albanese government to 'stand firmly with our allies and partners, including the United States, in the face of such aggression'.
'The Coalition reaffirms its support for the actions taken by the United States to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons,' the Opposition Leader said in a statement.
'Very weak'
Mr Trump earlier dismissed the Iranian strike as a 'very weak response' to the surprise US operation over the weekend that involved American bombers flying a 36-hour mission to pound three uranium enrichment sites with so-called bunker buster bombs.
'Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,' the US President posted on social media.
'There have been 14 missiles fired – 13 were knocked down, and 1 was 'set free,' because it was headed in a non-threatening direction.
'I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done.
'Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.
'I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured.
'Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.'
US President Donald Trump has called the Iranian attack 'very weak'. Picture: White House / AFP
A little later, Mr Trump posted: 'CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT'S TIME FOR PEACE!'
It remains unclear if Iran still holds substantial amounts of enriched uranium.
The regime said it moved much of its stockpiles out of the facilities the US struck before the attack.
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed not to 'submit to anyone's harassment'.
'Legal?' Deputy PM grilled on Iran strike
The US strike on Iran came after months of mounting concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
In the week leading up to Israel's 'pre-emptive' attacks on Iran, the UN's atomic watchdog declared that Iran was breaching its obligations, with inspectors admitting they could not say if the Islamic republic's nuclear program was 'exclusively peaceful'.
Speaking to reporters in London overnight, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was grilled on whether the US intervention was 'legal' amid claims from Tehran and its allies that it was a violation of international law.
Mr Marles refused to answer directly but maintained Australia was concerned about Iran's nuclear program.
'We have made very clear our concern about Iran's nuclear ballistic missile program and what that represented to the peace and stability of not only in the Middle East region but the world,' he said.
'And there has been a lot of opportunity for Iran to come to the negotiating table in relation to its program that has not occurred.'
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says Iran's nuclear program 'represented a real threat'. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Talks between the US and Iran were taking place when Israel launched its campaign.
Pressed on why action was needed if Tehran was already negotiating, Mr Marles said the Iranian government's engagement was 'not at the level that we would be wanting to see'.
'We have remained very concerned about the program that Iran has pursued, and that has led to the situation that we have now seen play out,' he said.
'And ultimately, these strikes were about dealing with that.
'As the Prime Minister has made very clear, that's where Australia's position is at.
'But as the Prime Minister has also made clear, as the President of the United States has made clear, now is the time to pursue peace.'
Pressed further on the legality of the US action, Mr Marles said the 'idea of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon is obviously unacceptable'.
'We have been committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty for a long period of time, it has underpinned non-proliferation in the world,' he said.
'But really it has been the most effective management of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and what Iran was seeking to do with its program represented a real threat to that.'
Originally published as Australia welcomes Middle East 'ceasefire' after Iran fires missiles at US base