The Australian government has expanded both its military and humanitarian response to the escalating Middle East conflict following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that Australia will deploy a surveillance aircraft and military personnel to the Gulf region in order to protect Australian citizens and support regional stability.
The government announced that a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft will be deployed to the United Arab Emirates for an initial four-week mission.
The aircraft is designed for long-range surveillance and airspace coordination, providing early warning of missile launches, aircraft movements and drone activity.
About 85 personnel from the Australian Defence Force will accompany the aircraft to operate and maintain the system.
Officials said the deployment is primarily aimed at safeguarding approximately 115,000 Australians currently located in the Middle East as several countries in the region are affected by the expanding regional conflict.
In addition to the aircraft deployment, Australia will provide Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to the United Arab Emirates. According to government statements, the missiles are intended strictly for defensive use to help intercept incoming rockets and drones.
Prime Minister Albanese emphasized during a briefing in Canberra that the move does not signal direct Australian participation in the war.
“We are not taking offensive action against Iran, and we are not deploying Australian troops on the ground in Iran,” Albanese said.
In a separate development linked to the regional tensions, Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s national football team.
The players had travelled to Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 held in Queensland but reportedly sought protection after staging a silent protest before a match.
Team captain Zahra Ghanbari and four teammates declined to sing Iran’s national anthem prior to their game against South Korea, a gesture widely interpreted as political dissent amid the ongoing war.
Iranian state media reportedly described the act as “wartime treason,” prompting fears among the players that they could face prosecution or reprisals if they returned to Iran.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that the athletes have been relocated to a secure location in Australia while their asylum protection requests are being processed.
He also said the offer of protection remains open to other members of the Iranian team who may decide not to return to Iran after the tournament.
The developments come as the regional war has expanded following coordinated strikes on February 28 targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.
According to briefings presented at the United Nations Security Council and analysis from the UK Parliament research service, the war began when the United States and Israel launched large-scale operations against sites inside Iran.
Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.
Officials in the United Arab Emirates say their air-defense systems have intercepted more than 1,500 rockets and drones since the start of hostilities.
The crisis has also triggered a large consular evacuation effort by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
DFAT says it has assisted about 2,600 Australians in leaving the Middle East through a combination of commercial and charter flights since the conflict intensified.
However tens of thousands of Australians remain in the region while authorities continue to monitor security conditions and coordinate additional assisted departures if necessary.
Government officials say the Wedgetail deployment and diplomatic engagement are part of a broader strategy aimed at protecting citizens abroad while avoiding direct military escalation in the war.
