In the wake of US-led airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for restraint, diplomacy, and de-escalation, urging Tehran to return to negotiations and abandon its nuclear ambitions.
In a video message released on Monday, Albanese reiterated Australia’s long-standing position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. “The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. And we support action to prevent that. That is what this is. The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran’s nuclear program. We don’t want escalation and a full-scale war,” he said.
Albanese expressed concern over growing tensions in the region and underscored the need for peaceful solutions: “We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. We are deeply concerned about any escalation in the region and we want to see diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation.”
He also criticised Iran for its failure to engage meaningfully with the international community: “Iran didn’t come to the table—just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.”
The comments come following Operation Midnight Hammer, a series of precision strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump that targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—key nuclear sites in Iran. The operation aimed to significantly cripple Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who confirmed the mission’s success in a press briefing.
While the US emphasized that the operation did not target Iranian troops or civilians, global leaders including the UN Secretary-General and now the Australian Prime Minister have warned against further military escalation and called for renewed diplomatic engagement.