澳洲'Dire consequences': Foreign Minister Penny Wong calls for urgent de-escalation in Israel-Iran conflict

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged both Iran and Israel to immediately de-escalate hostilities amid mounting fears of a wider regional war.

Iran and Israel have continued to trade rocket fire over the weekend, after senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists were killed in targeted strikes.

Ms Wong described the situation “perilous” and said the Albanese government was urging restraint on all sides.

“Obviously this is a very perilous situation. It's a very risky situation,” she told the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“We urge de-escalation, we urge restraint, we urge dialogue and diplomacy, and that call has been reflected by like-minded and partners.”

Ms Wong did not directly comment on Israel’s initial pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, expressing a cautious stance on criticising its military actions.

“Israel has a right to self-defence. It does have a right to self-defence,” Ms Wong said.

“What I would say is the key issue is not, you know, ‘Is there a threat?’ There is. We all know that.

“It’s whether or not in response to it we increase the risk of regional escalation and that would have dire consequences to the people of the region.”

Following military strikes in Iran there’s an increased threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel. In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities. pic.twitter.com/oD7JGC9sr5

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) June 13, 2025

Her comments come after a deadly series of strikes and counter-strikes between Israel and Iran, triggered by Israel’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities on Friday.

Iran claimed the attacks killed senior military officials and scientists, and retaliated with more than 100 drones aimed at Israel.

The violence escalated further over the weekend and Iran has accused Israel of striking the major Shahran oil depot northwest of Tehran.

The Israeli Air Force confirmed it was “attacking military targets in Tehran, in parallel with the activity of intercepting missiles launched from Iran”.

Israeli Defence Force International Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani also said the military was attempting to block Iranian strikes.

"While the IDF is operating to intercept missiles launched from Iran, the IAF is currently striking military targets in Tehran," he wrote on X on Saturday night.

❗️While the IDF is operating to intercept missiles launched from Iran, the IAF is currently striking military targets in Tehran.

— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) June 14, 2025

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz took to social media to declare "Tehran is burning" not long after news broke of the attack on the oil facility. 

The conflict has sparked concern for various world leaders, including President Trump who confirmed he discussed the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The call lasted approximately one hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war (with Ukraine) should also end," he said.

The Kremlin has confirmed the call took place between the two leaders, in which President Trump claims Putin wished him a happy 79th birthday.

Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov said Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation.

President Trump's comments mark the first time he has explicitly called for an end to hostilities between Israel and Iran since it began late last week. 

Iran said 78 people were killed on the first day of Israel's campaign, including 60 when a missile brought down a 14-storey apartment block in Tehran.

Iran had launched its own retaliatory missile volley on Friday night, killing at least three people in Israel.

Israel’s ambulance service said a woman in her 20s was killed and 13 other people injured when a missile struck a two-story house in northern Israel.

-with Reuters

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