Australia Closes Multiple Embassies in Middle East Over Conflict
The Australian government has closed several of its major embassies in the Middle East region amidst concerns that conflict is escalating, as war continues between the United States and Israel against Iran. Canberra stated that several cities hosting its diplomatic missions in the Middle East have been struck by attacks.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, according to Reuters on Wednesday 11 March 2026, announced that Canberra has temporarily closed the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Tel Aviv, Israel. Australia’s consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has also been temporarily closed.
Wong said that at least nine cities hosting Australian embassies and consulates have been hit by missile and drone attacks.
“Iranian retaliatory strikes continue on an unprecedented scale and depth that we have not previously witnessed,” Wong told the Australian parliament.
The conflict, according to Wong, “is likely to escalate and persist in the near term”.
“Our diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Tel Aviv have all had to be physically closed within the past week,” she said.
Australia has also instructed family members of diplomatic officials in the United Arab Emirates and Israel to leave those countries.
“Dangerous attacks and destabilisation by Iran endanger the lives of civilians, including Australian citizens, and we continue to support affected Australians as limited commercial flights resume and consular assistance efforts expand,” Wong stated.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following a large-scale combined assault by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February.
Tehran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf countries that host United States military assets.
More than 3,200 Australian citizens have returned from the Middle East using 23 commercial flights. When the conflict began, approximately 115,000 Australian nationals were recorded to be in the region.