Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Wednesday that the country has closed its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Israel, as well as its consulate in Dubai, due to growing concerns about the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
According to the minister, at least nine cities hosting Australian embassies and consulates have come under attacks involving missiles and drones.
Speaking before parliament, Wong said that Iran’s retaliatory attacks are continuing at a scale and intensity not seen before. She added that the conflict is likely to escalate further and persist in the near term.
As a result of the deteriorating security situation, Australia’s diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Tel Aviv were effectively forced to close last week.
