Australia has deployed six crisis response teams to the Middle East as the government continues efforts to support Australians caught in the escalating regional conflict.
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong confirmed the deployment during a press conference, saying the teams would provide additional consular assistance for Australians still in the region.
She said around 200 Australians were on a flight that departed Dubai for Sydney earlier in the day.
Wong said the government is working to help Australians return home and to ensure their safety amid the ongoing conflict.
For security reasons, she declined to disclose the specific locations where the crisis teams will be deployed, noting they will operate in areas affected by the conflict.
During the press conference, Wong was also repeatedly asked about the legality of recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
She said the legal justification for the strikes was a matter for the United States and Israel to explain, emphasising that Australia was not involved in the military actions.
Wong also said Australia does not have access to all intelligence cited by the countries involved in the strikes.
The comments come as global tensions rise following the widening conflict in the Middle East.
