Australian Foreign Minister Reports 115,000 Citizens Stranded in the Middle East

Canberra – Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated on Monday, 2 March, that approximately 115,000 Australian citizens are currently located in the Middle East following the cancellation of flights to and from the region amid US and Israeli military action against Iran.

Wong told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the federal government is awaiting the latest information regarding the resumption of commercial flights through the Middle East before deciding whether to provide evacuation flights for stranded citizens.

“Given the number of people in the region, they will be able to return home most quickly if we can facilitate them to use commercial flights that are currently operating,” she said.

In a statement released earlier on Monday, Wong said the government is now advising Australian citizens not to travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Additionally, she said Australian citizens should reconsider the need to travel to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

Australian citizens already in the Middle East have been advised by the government to carefully monitor developments and local media, confirm travel plans directly with airlines or travel agents, review their travel insurance, and monitor the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the latest information.

Wong said DFAT has activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australian citizens in the Middle East.

Deputy Prime Minister and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government has taken steps to protect the safety of approximately 100 defence personnel currently deployed in the region.