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Australia 'did not participate' in Operation Epic Fury in Iran

Jake Evans - 1 March 2026

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australia was not involved in the major Israeli-United States operation in Iran that has decapitated its leadership.

Senator Wong also confirmed Australia was not told in advance of Operation Epic Fury.

"Obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate," she said.

The minister refused to comment on whether Australian intelligence contributed to the operation "as a general proposition".

"These are strikes which are determined by the parties concerned, which is the United States and Israel," she said.

Senator Wong urged the resumption of dialogue and diplomacy, which had been underway until the surprise attack.

Following a meeting of the National Security Committee of Cabinet this morning, the government is urgently seeking to confirm whether any Australians have been affected.

Official travel advice has been upgraded with Australians warned not to travel to Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the foreign department was registering names of people seeking to depart Israel and Iran, though he noted that capacity to help people inside Iran was restricted.

Mr Albanese expressed his hope for the people of Iran, and concerns over regional escalation.

"When Iranians went out on the street to demand their human rights … we saw the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] crack down brutally, thousands murdered," he said.

"This is a regime that — we hope that the Iranian people are able to determine their own destiny."

The prime minister urged a swift resolution to the attack.

Khamenei's death 'won't be mourned'

Iranian state media has confirmed that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, with Israel also claiming the deaths of other Iranian defence leaders.

Mr Albanese said the Ayatollah would not be mourned.

"He is responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. His passing will not be mourned," Mr Albanese said.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson told ABC Insiders that he did not want the situation to escalate further, but the death of the ayatollah was welcome.

"The ayatollah is dead and that means the world is now a safer place," Mr Wilson said.

Andrew Hastie, a former SAS soldier and former assistant defence minister, said Mr Trump was an "apex opportunist" who strikes when an opportunity is presented.

Mr Hastie told Sky News the president was "setting the conditions for regime change in Iran", but he believed that toppling the regime would be left to Iranians.

"It's a massive call, but given the restraining impulse of people in his administration like Vice President [J.D.] Vance there was never a prospect of boots in the ground," Mr Hastie said.

"We saw what he did in Venezuela, in and out … we saw what happened in Iran last year, sending those bombers to hit the three nuclear facilities, I suspect this will look more of the same. Let's see what happens.

"As a veteran of the so-called 'forever wars' I am very suspicious about regime change by force, but Iran is a terrible regime, they are a proxy, they are underwritten by Chinese and Russian tech."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-01/australia-not-involved-iran-operation-epic-fury/106401742

>>24318774

Ali Khamenei ‘will not be mourned’: Anthony Albanese condemns Iranian regime after Iran strikes

GREG BROWN and NOAH YIM - 1 March 2026

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Anthony Albanese has backed US and Israeli missile strikes against the “brutal” and “oppressive” Iranian regime, declaring there was no reason to mourn the death of the Islamic Republic’s killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The Prime Minister said Australia had no involvement in the military strikes over the weekend but his government opposed Iran’s regime and supported actions that dismantled its capacity to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Mr Albanese’s stance is at odds with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and he has come under fire from his left flank including the Greens, former Labor senator and Left faction heavyweight Doug Cameron and grassroots group Labor Against War.

Mr Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong suggested their support for democratic elections to install a new government in the troubled Middle East nation, saying it should be up to the people of Iran who leads the country.

“We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security,” Mr Albanese said.

He would not say whether the strikes against Iran were consistent with international law, with that question a matter for the US and “for those directly involved in the attack”.

“What I would say is that the threat to international peace and security of the Iranian regime is real,” he said.

“The fact that they orchestrated attacks here in Australia on the other side of the world underlines the threat that this regime presented to the rule of law and to international norms of behaviour.”

Mr Albanese said his government would stand with the people of Iran “in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime”, arguing women were particularly targeted under Khamenei’s dictatorship.

He also declared Khamenei was responsible for orchestrating antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, including the firebombing of the Adass synagogue in Melbourne.

“Ayatollah Khamenei was responsible for the regime’s ballistic missile and nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal acts of violence and intimidation against its own people. This claimed countless lives in Iran, but also internationally,” he said.

“His passing will not be mourned.

“While we aren’t directly active in the current military strikes, we have been clear and acted on our utter rejection of the brutal Iranian regime.

“Last year, we expelled Iran’s ambassador. That is the first time an ambassador has been expelled from Australia since the Second World War.”

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Angus Taylor said Khamenei’s death was “welcome news” and would be a setback for tyranny.

The Opposition Leader said Western nations needed to “rally together and act together to support a new Iranian government that is committed to its people’s democratic rights”.

“For the first time in almost five decades, the Iranian people have a real chance to secure the freedom they desire,” he wrote on social media.

“That opportunity is thanks to the decisiveness and moral fortitude of the United States and Israel, and the combined military strength and bravery of their defence forces.”

But while there was bipartisan support between the major parties for the actions of the US and Israel, Greens leader Larissa Waters said the attacks were “illegal, abhorrent and unilateral”.

“Australia’s support of Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attack last night was disgraceful. We cannot bomb our way to peace,” she said.

“This war will not bring safety to the brave Iranian people who are fighting for liberation from the brutal regime.

“Innocent people have already been massacred, including at least 60 children in Southern Iran killed by US and Israeli strikes on an elementary school last night. Our hearts ache for their families.

“This war will see homes and cities razed to the ground, and countless innocent lives lost.”

Mr Cameron, a former union official and senator who was a Left faction supporter and “dear friend” of Mr Albanese, said the time was “long gone” when Labor supported peace over war.

“Albanese’s backing of Israeli and US attacks on Iran shows that we are completely devoid of acting independently from Trump and Netanyahu,” he said.

“Leadership (is) needed, not sycophantic capitulation to militarism.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/khamenei-will-not-be-mourned-anthony-albanese-condemns-iranian-regime-after-iran-strikes/news-story/c1d44cb79a0d3589a172d610540796de

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlUu_4Rr1g

>>24318774

Australian government issues ‘do not travel’ warning amid mass flight cancellations

ROBYN IRONSIDE - 1 March 2026

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Up to 2000 flights in and out of the Middle Eastern hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been cancelled and close to 15,000 delayed following airspace closures in response to military action in the region, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded.

As government advice for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar was raised to “do not travel”, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways suspended all flights scheduled to arrive into or depart from their home ports on Sunday and Monday and warned “further adjustments” were likely.

Earlier Dubai Airport was evacuated, amid reports of Iranian missiles attacking the gateway, which is ranked as the busiest international airport in the world.

An attack on nearby Abu Dhabi Airport resulted in at least one fatality and a number of people suffering injuries.

Four Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways were turned back, hours after leaving Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, and a further seven flights scheduled for Sunday axed.

Flight VA1 from Sydney spent close to 10 hours in the air after being diverted back to Melbourne due to the curfew at Kingsford Smith Airport.

The mass flight cancellations into the Middle East and a number of diversions, left 28 aircraft parked at five Australian airports.

Australian Airports Association CEO Simon Westaway said airports and airlines were managing the operational impacts and implementing contingency arrangements where required.

“We urge travellers to follow advice from authorities,” said Mr Westaway.

“With large areas of airspace across the Middle East currently affected, significant disruptions to global aviation are likely in the coming days and the situation may change rapidly.”

Qantas continued on with its daily Perth-London service, using one of “several flight paths available to the airline” but said it was monitoring the situation closely.

Late Sunday Qantas was not expecting changes to those flights, or Perth-Paris.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said at least 1800 of 4218 flights scheduled to arrive in Middle Eastern countries were cancelled on Sunday, and some flights already en route were diverted.

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The Australian government raised the travel advice for United Arab Emirates and Qatar to “do not travel” due to the “volatile security situation” and urged Australians in those countries to follow local instructions to shelter in place.

Virgin Australia advised passengers booked to fly to Doha in coming days to monitor their flight information closely, and visit the Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice.

“We thank everyone for their understanding and we will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves,” said a Virgin spokeswoman.

Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long said the “rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East was already disrupting international flight operations for Australians travelling via major hubs”.

“Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are the most directly impacted at this stage, but European and other international carriers routing through Gulf airspace are also experiencing delays and rerouting. The impact is broader than many travellers may expect,” said Mr Long.

“Our members are actively supporting impacted clients, managing rebookings, securing alternative routes and providing up-to-date advice in what is a highly fluid environment.”

He said ATIA advised travellers not to cancel arrangement without first seeking professional advice.

“Unless you are travelling in the next 48 hours and have not been contacted, hold off contacting your travel agent right now to allow them to support those currently caught up in the situation who are stranded, delayed and dealing with cancellations,” he said.

“The situation is evolving rapidly and experienced travel professionals are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance tailored to each traveller’s circumstances.”

The Insurance Council of Australia echoed those sentiments and “strongly urged Australians planning travel to the Middle East to follow the latest advisories”.

“Travellers should be aware that most insurance policies do not cover losses arising from acts of war or armed conflict,” said a council spokeswoman.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/australian-government-issues-do-not-travel-warning-amid-mass-flight-cancellations/news-story/309629988d75db9f7016a2e452609999

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVCfYw86bcg

>>24318774

‘Sweet and sour’ moment as Iranian-Australians celebrate amid uncertainty

Mostafa Rachwani and Rachel Eddie - March 1, 2026

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Like many in the Iranian community in Sydney, Mohammad Hashemi has mixed emotions.

The 33-year-old engineer said he was overjoyed at the news Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed amid US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, but also wary about celebrating foreign intervention and war in Iran.

“No one wants to see their country attacked by another country. But this was one of the biggest things we wanted to see,” Hashemi said from his home in Sydney’s Rhodes.

“So many Iranians were killed because of him. We were being held hostage by him and his regime, so it wasn’t a normal situation. We just want the regime to go.”

He said that a “majority of Iranians will be celebrating today” after Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s death on Sunday.

The confirmation followed US and Israel strikes, which were launched at Iran on Saturday, with the stated intention of regime change. In a social media post, US President Donald Trump called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history”.

In an earlier address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that Khamenei’s compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had been killed.

Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases.

Meanwhile the Iranian-Australian community watches with bated breath, with Hashemi saying many are celebrating the death of Khamenei, while mourning what may come for Iran.

“Innocent people are being killed, and that is terrible news. But we have already lost so many people to this regime, so the most important thing is that they are gone,” he said.

“But I’m really worried what will happen over the next few days and weeks, and what the outcome of this could be. We want to see a democracy in Iran, but It’s not really up to us right now.”

A small crowd gathered on the steps of the Victorian Parliament on Sunday, joyously waving Iranian flags amid several Israeli flags, blaring Gloria Gaynor’s 1970s hit I Will Survive. In Sydney too, hundreds of people gathered in Hyde Park on Sunday evening, waving Iranian, US, Israeli and Australian flags and dancing to live music.

Kambiz Razmara, vice-president of the Australian Iranian Society of Victoria, said the community was watching with anticipation.

“It’s obviously never a great feeling to be confronted with war,” he said.

But Razmara said, after tens and thousands of protesters have been killed, Iranians were celebrating Khamenei’s death.

“This guy, he personifies the oppression,” Razmara said.

“A regime that inflicts this kind of pain on its people doesn’t deserve to be in government.

“I don’t want to say celebratory because it really is a difficult word to use. It’s such a conflicting circumstance, that to say ‘celebratory’ undermines the suffering. But it is almost a kind of hopeful anticipation.”

Another Melbourne man, who did not want his name used, was not hopeful the situation would end well given the long list of countries that have suffered from foreign intervention.

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Kamran Keshavarz, as president of the Iranian Football Association in Australia, is uniquely positioned to hear from everyday families in the Iranian community, and said this moment was both “sweet and sour”.

“Despite everyone being very worried at this moment, when the news came through that Khamenei had died, it was a moment of joy for us. But it is soured by it being done by a foreign country like Israel or America.”

He said Iranians still had “a hard, long way before reaching an actual democratic government” while emphasising that most in the community want Iran to become a democracy.

“First and foremost, we want to see a transitional government and a system by which the people on the street can choose their next leader.”

Vice president of the Australian Iranian Community Alliance, Suren Edgar, said many Iranians from different diasporas had called for foreign intervention in Iran because “it’s not realistic to believe the people can do everything by themselves”.

Edgar pointed to anti-regime protests in Australian capital cities in the past month as evidence many in the Iranian-Australian community did not support Khamenei.

“The people of Iran have been fighting to show the world that they are different from the government,” he said.

Edgar said it was “too soon” to discuss who would rule Iran in place of the regime, and was reluctant to offer support to the exiled son of the former shah of Iran, who has been angling to be the transitional leader should the regime fall.

“He has many supporters, but I still think the international community needs to be helpful, and to make sure the regime does not cling to power.”

“Iranian people want peace, they usually do not follow any kind of extreme ideology. In fact, we love celebrations and love life,” he said.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/sweet-and-sour-moment-as-iranian-australians-celebrate-amid-uncertainty-20260301-p5o6fd.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_AiSeYsDeA