Iran urged to 'come to the table' as Middle East tensions escalate
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned that it is "extremely difficult" to help Australians safely leave Israel or Iran at the moment, as the number of people seeking assistance climbs.
"I can tell you that we have about 1500 Australians in Iran who have registered with us, seeking assistance in leaving," Wong told Today.
"We have about 1200 in Israel (who) are seeking assistance to leave. Obviously, those numbers, I anticipate, will continue to climb."
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned that it is "extremely difficult" to help Australians safely leave Israel or Iran. Today
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Wong said the government had helped a "small group" cross out of Iran over the land border in the past 24 hours.
"We hope to have more, more able to be moved today," she said.
"Obviously that does depend on the security situation on the ground."
But with airspace in the region closed, she warned, Australia's reach was limited.
She urged people to leave if they safely could, and if not, to shelter in place.
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, June 16, 2025. AP Photo/Baz Ratner
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Wong urged Iran to "come to the table" and commit to discontinuing the country's nuclear program.
"You see the circumstances, you see what the risks are for the Iranian people, but also for the whole world, certainly for the people of the region," she said.
"So we continue to call for diplomacy and dialogue and Iran to come to the table."
She said US President Donald Trump had told Iran it was never too late for negotiations.
Hear the full chat with Wong in the video above
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