Australia could close Iran embassy to protect Australians

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government would make any necessary decisions to protect Australians after Iran targeted a journalist.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has not ruled out shutting Iran's embassy in Australia after revelations that the Iranian regime targeted an Australian journalist within the country. The diplomatic outpost has operated with reduced staff since Anthony Albanese expelled Iran's ambassador last year because of the Iranian government's involvement in attacks targeting Jewish Australians.

At a senate estimates hearing on Wednesday, Wong was asked whether there was any threshold Iran could cross that would prompt the government to fully sever ties with Tehran. She declined to speculate on security agency advice but said that when it comes to the safety of Australians, that is the government's first priority.

'We would make any decisions that we thought and were advised were necessary to protect the security of Australians, as we have done,' Wong said in response to opposition defence spokesman James Paterson.

How it is being reported

• Albanese government could shut Iran embassy to ‘protect’ Australians, Penny WongAustralia’s top diplomat has vowed to take “any decisions” necessary to protect Australians amid revelations Iran has targeted a journalist.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 23:59
• Albanese government could shut Iran embassy to ‘protect’ Australians, Penny WongAustralia’s top diplomat has vowed to take “any decisions” necessary to protect Australians amid revelations Iran has targeted a journalist.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 23:59

In this story: Penny Wong · Anthony Albanese · Australia · Iran

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