The Australian government has closed its diplomatic outposts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Tel Aviv following the outbreak of a regional war sparked by United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February. The escalating conflict has driven global oil prices past $100 a barrel, prompting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to call an emergency meeting with domestic fuel suppliers.
Unleaded petrol prices have spiked by as much as 25 cents a litre in major Australian cities. The consumer watchdog demanded transparency from the industry and issued public warnings against domestic price gouging amid the global energy market volatility.
The diplomatic closures coincide with the Albanese government deploying Australian Defence Force aircraft, personnel, and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated the deployment is intended to protect civilians, maintaining that Australia is not officially at war. The deployment has caused internal friction within the Labor Party regarding international law obligations.
Domestically, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed an urgent relocation operation involving the Iranian women’s football squad seeking asylum. After the government granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the delegation, one player reversed her decision and contacted the Iranian embassy. The Australian government subsequently moved the remaining players to a new location as a strict safety precaution.
In response to the widening conflict zone, the government is preparing legislation to temporarily block individuals originating from Iran from arriving on tourist visas. The ongoing security developments represent a significant shift in Australian foreign policy as the administration navigates the fallout of the global crisis.