Australia to send missiles to UAE, surveillance plane to help Gulf defence | US-Israel war on Iran News
Australia to Deploy Military Assets Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that Australia will send a long-range reconnaissance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf region as tensions escalate amid conflict with Iran.
In a news conference, Albanese stated, “The Iranian conflict in the Middle East began just over a week ago, and Iran’s reprisal attacks continue to escalate, already at a scale and depth we haven’t seen before. Twelve countries across the region, from Cyprus to the Gulf, are continuing to be targeted.”
The Royal Australian Air Force will dispatch an E7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and supporting personnel to secure the airspace over the Gulf for the next four weeks. This operation aims to assist in regional self-defense efforts.
Additionally, Australia will supply advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision follows a recent phone conversation between Albanese and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Albanese highlighted the presence of approximately 115,000 Australians in the Middle East, including 24,000 in the UAE, as a significant factor influencing the deployment of military assets. “Helping Australians means also helping the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations defend themselves against unprovoked attacks,” he emphasized, clarifying that the deployments are strictly defensive.
“My government has been clear: We are not taking offensive action against Iran, and we are not deploying Australian troops on the ground in Iran,” Albanese added.
Since the onset of the conflict, around 2,600 Australians have departed the Middle East. The Prime Minister acknowledged ongoing challenges in facilitating the safe exit of those who remain.
The announcement drew immediate criticism from the opposition Greens party, which cautioned that Australia risks becoming embroiled in a prolonged U.S.-led conflict. Greens Senator Larissa Waters expressed concern over the safety of Australian personnel involved in the deployment, which includes approximately 85 troops.
“Australians do not want to get dragged into Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal war on Iran,” Waters stated. “Labor shouldn’t be sending troops to help a military that’s killed innocent civilians.”
In a separate statement, Albanese disclosed that the Australian government has granted asylum to five members of Iran’s women’s football team, who sought refuge during their visit for the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Queensland. The women have been issued humanitarian visas and have been relocated to a safe area with the assistance of the Australian Federal Police.
“Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They’re safe here, and they should feel at home here,” Albanese said.
