Isabella Higgins, Host: Minister Wong, thank you very much for joining us on AM this morning. Thousands of Australians have been caught up in this conflict and we'll come to that in a moment. But first, can you just make a very clear what is the Australian Government's stance on the US strikes on these Iranian nuclear facilities?
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good morning, Isabella. Good to be with you. Well, first, I'd say these are sites specifically central to Iran's nuclear program, we know that the UN nuclear watchdog has said Iran is accumulating highly enriched uranium at almost military level, enough for the manufacturing of several nuclear weapons. Now we have all agreed, the world has agreed, Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. So yes, we support action to prevent that, and that is what this is. But I would make this point. The big question is now what? And Australia says, like so many other countries, we do not want escalation and a full-scale war and we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy.
Higgins: A firm endorsement there, Minister Wong, there has been international lawyers, foreign policy experts, the Greens who say that they view these US strikes as illegal under international law. What is your view, are they lawful?
Foreign Minister: Look, I think that we are all clear that Iran has not, cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. We all know what the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said. So yes, the Government does support action to prevent that. What I would say is the key question for the international community is what happens next. We're deeply concerned about continued escalation and a full-scale war with all of the consequences, not just for Australians in the region, but all the peoples of the region and the risk to global instability.
Higgins: As you say, this is a volatile situation. You'd like to see diplomacy and escalation, but can you really resume peaceful negotiations after strikes of this scale?
Foreign Minister: Look, it's obviously a very precarious, risky and dangerous moment the world faces, and that is why you've seen statements from world leaders who have said we need to reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis. That's what Prime Minister Starmer has said. That's what the E3, that's the UK, France and Germany, have said that we have to get to a point where diplomacy is operative because the consequences of continued escalation for the world and for the people of the region are so dire.
Higgins: Does that call extend to Israel to no longer continue its strikes on Iran?
Foreign Minister: What we would say is that we have seen strikes, we have seen what the US has done, we have seen the destruction, or you know the debilitation, of these nuclear facilities. Now is the time for diplomacy. Now is the time for de-escalation, and we would, that call is to all parties.
Higgins: Many Australians are seeking support in Iran, but also Israel, airspace is still closed. What update can you provide for us?
Foreign Minister: Well, first I want to say to Australians who are so deeply worried about family and friends in Iran and in Israel, this is such a distressing time, and we are very focused on doing whatever we can to support people. In relation to Iran, obviously the situation is extremely difficult, and the airspace remains closed in both countries. We have deployed Australian officials to the border with Azerbaijan, so if people are able to make their way to that, which is an obviously highly, people have to make a judgement about how risky that is. But we urge them to move if they believe they can do so safely. In relation to Israel, again, the airspace is closed. There is some prospect of a window of airspace opening. Obviously, that is highly dependent on the situation on the ground. And we are seeking to try and arrange a facilitated flight in the event that the airspace opens. But I want to say to people, obviously that is highly dependent on the security situation. We have advised Australians who are registered of that fact.
Higgins: Foreign Minister Penny Wong, thank you very much for joining us on AM.
Foreign Minister: Great to speak with you.