Israel-Iran crisis: Penny Wong orders Australian diplomatic staff evacuate Tehran after Marco Rubio callLatika M BourkeThe NightlyFri, 20 June 2025 6:04AMCommentsCommentsEmail Latika M Bourke
Australian diplomatic staff are evacuating the embassy in Iran, underlining heightened fears of the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifying.
Diplomatic staff will move to neighbouring Azerbaijan and continue helping Australians evacuate the region.
There are around 2000 Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as wanting to leave Iran.
The move underlines the tense situation in the Middle East as Israel and Iran continue to exchange fire.
US President Donald Trump said he would wait another two weeks before deciding on making any US intervention in Israel’s attack on Iran, which began last week.
“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted the President as saying during a briefing to reporters.
President Trump is under intense pressure from the isolationist wing of his Make America Great Again movement to avoid being drawn into another conflict in the Middle East and broker a diplomatic solution.
On Friday, European Foreign Ministers from Germany, France and the UK are set to meet the Iranian counterpart in Geneva to try and calm the conflict.
Amid fears that Israel’s quest to take out Iran’s capacity to build a nuclear bomb, the Australian government closed the embassy on Monday.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the government’s order to abandon the embassy in a statement released shortly after her phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said: “Secretary Rubio and Minister Wong agreed to continue to work together closely to commit to a path of peace and ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.”
Senator Wong said in a statement that the worsening security situation prompted the government directive to move the Ambassador, Ian McConville, a career diplomat, elsewhere in the region.
“The Australian Government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at our Embassy in Tehran, based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran,” the minister said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran.
“We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe.
“Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place.
“We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries.”
“At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed.”
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