‘Dire consequences': Warning on Middle East
Australia's top diplomat is warning the Middle East faces 'dire consequences' as all-out war looms between nuclear-armed Israel and Iran.
The two foes have been trading deadly strikes since Israel launched a 'pre-emptive' attack targeting Iran's nuclear program.
The Israeli offensive came after the UN's atomic watchdog declared Iran was breaching its obligations, with inspectors admitting they could not say if the country's nuclear program was 'exclusively peaceful'.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Sunday Iran's 'risk to international security' was well-known, but kept tight-lipped on whether the Albanese government backed Israel's intervention.
'We know, the world knows, that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program is a threat to international peace and security,' Senator Wong told the ABC.
'And we know that Iran has been found by the UN watchdog to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations – this is why we all have sanctions against Iran because we understand … the risk to international security.
'What I would say is the key issue is not 'is there a threat' - there is, we all know that.
'It's whether or not in response to it we increase the risk of regional escalation and that would have dire consequences to the people of the region.
'So that is why Australia has said we urge de-escalation, we urge restraint, we urge dialogue and diplomacy, and that call has been reflected by like-minded and partners.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong is warning the Middle East faces 'dire consequences' as all-out war looms between nuclear-armed Israel and Iran. NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia
Pressed on whether she agreed with Israel's decision, she repeated her call 'to de-escalate and exercise restraint'.
Pressed further on whether she thought the move was justified and legal, Senator Wong said that 'Israel has a right to self-defence' but that it was not about legality.
'The question here is what do we do now?' she said.
'We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel.
'What do we do about it? And how do we respond in a way that lessens the risk of more civilians particularly in the region being brought into this conflict.'
In the early hours of Sunday, Israel hit a major oil refinery in the Iranian capital Tehran.
As of reporting, efforts were still underway to contain the blaze.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have said at least three people were killed by Iranian missile strikes in northern Israel overnight.
More to come.
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