Australia Considers Defensive Support Requests Amid Middle East Tensions

Australia is considering requests from Gulf nations for defensive military support amid escalating conflicts involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia will not engage in offensive actions or deploy ground troops. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted three Australian personnel were aboard a US submarine that sank an Iranian vessel but did not participate in the attack. Australia is also assisting thousands of its citizens stranded in the Middle East due to the crisis.