Australia suspends Tehran embassy operations, evacuates officials
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The news: Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents, due to the deteriorating security environment in Iran.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran, it said in a statement.
Australia’s ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government’s response to the crisis.
The numbers: More than 2000 Australians and their family members have registered with DFAT seeking the government’s help to flee.
DFAT said its ability to provide consular services is “extremely limited” and the move is consistent with steps taken by other countries, including New Zealand and Switzerland.
The context: The closure comes as Israeli airstrikes and Iranian missile attacks intensified in the seventh day of fighting between the two countries, and while US President Donald Trump weighs whether the US will join Israel’s military campaign. At least 639 people have been reported killed in Iran and 24 in Israel.
The source: Penny Wong statement
