Australia has confirmed it will not participate in the joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated in an interview with Australia’s Nine Network that the country has no plans to join the attack now or in the future. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on Monday.

Relations between Australia and Iran have been tense in recent years. In 2025, Canberra expelled the Iranian ambassador following allegations that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was linked to antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, a claim Tehran has denied. Despite Australia’s history of joining US-led operations such as the Iraq war, the government has decided to distance itself from the current Iran conflict.

This decision underscores a shift in Australia’s approach to Middle East conflicts, signaling a more cautious stance in aligning with US military actions.

More than 115,000 Australian citizens are stranded across the Middle East after air routes were closed due to conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Australian authorities. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government hopes to repatriate citizens once commercial flights resume, as that would be the most feasible large-scale option.

Wong told reporters that the ongoing conflict has caused casualties and led to the closure of regional airspace, preventing both Australian and commercial flights from operating. The government is monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with airlines to assess when flights might restart. An online crisis portal has been launched for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their close relatives in Israel, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register for assistance.

Wong also commented on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the responsibility for explaining the U.S. and Israeli actions lies with those governments. She added that no one is mourning Khamenei’s death, describing his rule as one marked by brutality against his own people.

Australia concluded its T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Oman. Batting first, Oman were bowled out for just 104 runs in 16.2 overs, with Adam Zampa leading the attack by taking four wickets for 21 runs. In reply, Australia chased down the target in only 9.4 overs, finishing at 108 for 1. Captain Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, while Travis Head scored 32 from 19 deliveries before being dismissed just 13 runs short of the target.

The win equalled the record for the fastest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, matching England’s 9.4-over chase against the United States in the 2024 edition. Zampa’s bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as Australia’s bowlers set up the victory with disciplined and aggressive spells.

This result marked a strong finish for Australia in the tournament, highlighting their batting depth and bowling strength as they exited the competition on a high note.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied across Australia on Monday to oppose the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who faces accusations of inciting genocide against Palestinians. In Sydney, police used pepper spray and clashed with protesters as Herzog began his four-day trip by laying a wreath at Bondi Beach to honor victims of last year’s mass shooting. Authorities warned that participants in a planned march from Sydney Town Hall to the New South Wales Parliament risk arrest, as the area was declared protected during the visit. A Sydney court rejected a legal challenge against the protest restrictions filed by the Palestine Action Group.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to respect the solemn nature of Herzog’s visit, describing it as one made in goodwill. Herzog said he came to express solidarity and friendship, while alleging that the protests sought to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Amnesty International Australia and the Jewish Council of Australia criticized the visit, citing Herzog’s alleged role in inciting genocide and calling for accountability. Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne and Canberra before returning to Israel on Thursday.

A small aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of South Australia on Friday afternoon, killing all three people on board, including the pilot, according to police. The crash occurred near Long Bay, close to the port town of Goolwa South, about 63 kilometers south of Adelaide. Police confirmed that all three male occupants were found dead and that the wreckage had been recovered from the water.

Authorities said investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrived at the crash site on Saturday to begin an investigation into the incident. Local media outlet Seven News shared a video on social media platform X showing the aircraft descending nose-first into the sea at high speed.

Police have not yet released further details about the cause of the crash or the identities of the victims, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Australia and Indonesia signed a new security agreement on Friday aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Canberra and Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The deal includes plans to build new military training facilities and enhance joint operational capabilities. According to a joint statement cited from Jakarta, a senior Indonesian officer will be embedded within Australia’s defense forces as part of the collaboration. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as a historic moment for bilateral relations.

Albanese said Australia would help Indonesia improve its military training infrastructure to make joint exercises more effective. He emphasized the countries’ shared maritime boundary as a natural foundation for close partnership. The agreement comes as Australia seeks to bolster its defense capacity amid China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while Indonesia maintains a balanced foreign policy to preserve ties with its key trading partner, China.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the pact reflects Indonesia’s “independent and active” foreign policy and commitment to good neighborly relations. The deal follows a 2024 defense agreement that led to large-scale joint military exercises in East Java.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has warned that Beijing will take measures to protect its companies’ interests if Australia forcibly reclaims control of the strategically important northern Darwin Port. The warning came after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government’s intention to bring the port back under national control, calling the 2015 lease to China’s Landbridge Group a short-sighted decision in terms of economic and national security.

The Darwin Port was leased to Landbridge for 99 years in 2015, a move that sparked intense domestic debate in Australia and led to stricter oversight of foreign ownership of critical infrastructure. Xiao Qian told Australian media that if Landbridge is forced to relinquish the lease, Beijing will act to safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. He cautioned that such a move could harm Chinese investment, cooperation, and trade in the region, ultimately affecting Australia’s own interests.

Darwin is one of Australia’s closest cities to its Asian neighbors and hosts a U.S. Marine base. The port lease had previously drawn criticism from Washington for lack of prior consultation.

Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open after Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury during their quarterfinal match in Melbourne. Musetti had taken a commanding two-set lead, winning 6-4 and 6-3, before suffering thigh and groin injuries that forced him to withdraw while trailing 1-3 in the third set. The Serbian star, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, advanced by walkover to his 13th semifinal appearance at the tournament.

Djokovic’s path to the last four was marked by unusual fortune. In the previous round, he progressed without playing after Czech player Jakub Mensik withdrew with stomach pain. The 38-year-old has now won a record 103 singles matches at the Australian Open, surpassing Roger Federer. Djokovic will face second seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, after the Italian defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women’s singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and American Jessica Pegula reached the semifinals, while Poland’s Iga Swiatek was eliminated following a straight-sets loss to Rybakina.

The Australian government has cancelled the visa of Israeli influencer Sammi Yahud after he faced accusations of promoting anti-Islamic propaganda. Authorities acted following his social media post describing Islam as a 'hateful ideology'. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that individuals spreading hate and division are not welcome in Australia and that visitors should come with the right intentions.

The decision was made under Australia’s hate crime laws, which were strengthened after the December 14 massacre during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach. The conservative Australian Jewish Association condemned the move, saying it had invited Yahud to speak. The report also noted that far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman’s visa had been cancelled last year under similar circumstances.

The case highlights Australia’s stricter enforcement of hate speech laws following recent violent incidents and its stance on preventing divisive figures from entering the country.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for comments that appeared to downplay the role of NATO troops in Afghanistan. In a television interview on Sunday, Albanese said Trump’s remarks were unacceptable, adding that even though Trump later acknowledged allied contributions, the damage from his earlier statement remained.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Australian forces joined NATO operations in Afghanistan, where 47 Australian soldiers were killed and more than 260 injured. Last week, Trump claimed that U.S. allies sent some troops but were not on the front lines. Albanese said such comments deeply hurt the families of fallen soldiers and emphasized that the bravery and sacrifice of 40,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan deserved the highest respect.

Trump’s earlier interview with Fox News also drew anger from several NATO allies, including Poland, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Under pressure, Trump later praised British troops on his social media platform. Australia withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant form at the Australian Open, defeating Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets to secure a place in the third round. The Serbian superstar won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking his 399th career singles victory in Grand Slam tournaments. With this result, Djokovic stands just one win away from becoming the first player in tennis history to reach 400 Grand Slam singles wins.

In other second-round matches, Italy’s Jannik Sinner advanced after beating Australia’s James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Croatia’s Marin Cilic also progressed, defeating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka reached the third round after a five-set battle against France’s Arthur Gea, winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3).

In the women’s singles, Poland’s Iga Swiatek cruised past Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka overcame Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to move forward.

Three people were killed in a shooting in the western region of New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday afternoon. Police said the incident occurred in the town of Lake Cargelligo, where emergency services responded to reports of gunfire around 4:40 p.m. on Walker Street near Yelkin Street. Officers from the Central West Police District arrived at the scene and confirmed the deaths of two women and one man. Another man was seriously injured and taken to hospital, where his condition was reported as stable.

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and declared it a crime scene. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the shooting. For safety reasons, police urged the public to avoid the area and advised local residents to remain indoors.

Police stated that further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

Louise Adler, director of Adelaide Writers’ Week, resigned on Tuesday after the festival’s board cancelled the participation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The decision sparked widespread backlash, with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and many writers and guests boycotting the event. According to local media, around 180 artists and participants have withdrawn their names from the festival.

Adler said she resigned in protest against what she described as extreme and repressive pressure from pro-Israel lobbies. In an open letter published in The Guardian, she wrote that art is being labeled as unsafe and artists are being portrayed as threats to society. She argued that repeated references to “security” were being used to suppress dissent and that such reasoning was applied only to the Palestinian invitee.

The festival board stated that its decision followed the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting at a Jewish festival that left 15 people dead. Abdel-Fattah condemned the move as blatant anti-Palestinian racism and called attempts to link her to the violence “vile and baseless.”

Meta has deactivated more than 540,000 Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts in Australia following the country’s new social media ban for users under 16. The U.S. technology company stated that between December 4 and 11, it removed 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts believed to be operated by minors. The action came after Australia implemented the world’s first full prohibition on social media use by children under 16, effective December 10.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Australian government’s decision bars minors from creating, using, or maintaining profiles on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat. In a blog post, Meta said it seeks constructive dialogue with the government to explore safer, privacy-preserving, and age-appropriate online experiences instead of a total ban. The company emphasized that a unified industry standard for age verification is still lacking.

Meta reaffirmed its commitment to comply with Australian law but expressed concern over the absence of clear and consistent age determination standards across the industry.

The Australian government has advised its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately due to fears that the situation could deteriorate rapidly amid ongoing protests. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued an updated travel advisory warning that while commercial flights out of Iran are still available, they are becoming increasingly limited. The advisory cautioned that airspace closures and flight cancellations could soon make departure impossible.

According to the DFAT notice, anyone choosing to remain in Iran despite the government’s advice will be responsible for their own safety. Citizens were urged to prepare for extended sheltering by securing adequate supplies of water, food, and essential medicine. The advisory was issued in response to the uncertainty surrounding the protests and the broader security environment in Iran.

Authorities emphasized that the warning reflects the unpredictable nature of the current unrest and the potential for further disruption to travel and safety conditions.