Canberra, March 2 – Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed a stark reality on Monday: more than 100,000 Australian citizens are currently stranded in the Middle East due to flight cancellations triggered by US-Israeli strikes against Iran. The escalating tensions have grounded commercial airlines, leaving thousands in limbo.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV, Wong outlined the government’s urgent response. ‘We’re preparing special repatriation flights for those stuck there,’ she said, emphasizing a preference for resuming normal commercial services first. ‘There are so many people in the region. If we can get them on commercial flights soon, they’ll be home faster.’
The minister issued a blanket travel advisory, urging Australians to avoid 11 high-risk nations including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, UAE, and Yemen. For Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, she advised reconsidering trips carefully.
Those already in the region face clear directives: monitor local news and conditions closely, confirm travel plans directly with airlines or agents, check insurance policies, and stay updated via official channels. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has launched a dedicated assistance center to support stranded citizens.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles added that the safety of around 100 Australian defense personnel deployed in the area is being prioritized with all necessary measures.
As the situation unfolds, the Australian government is racing against time to bring its citizens home safely, amid fears of further regional instability. Families back home are urged to remain patient while authorities coordinate the complex evacuation efforts. This crisis underscores the volatile security landscape in the Middle East and its ripple effects on global travel.