Australia is weighing up an appeal for military aid by Middle Eastern countries under attack from Iran.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told the ABC Insiders programme today the federal government had received requests from nations for protection against drone and missile attacks.
Iran has targeted pro-western neighbours, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, over the past week in a campaign of air attacks.
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"Many countries who are non-participants have been attacked by Iran through this," Wong said.
"You would anticipate as a consequence, that we have been asked for assistance and we will work through that."
She refused to be drawn on details about any potential military aid under consideration, but said the government would be frank if it approved any.
Wong also reiterated that Australian armed forces would not take part in offensive operations against Iran.
She was speaking after the Iranian regime gave conflicting comments about the targeting of its neighbours.
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President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Arab Gulf nations in a remarkable address yesterday, saying Tehran would stop striking its neighbours unless any attacks on Iran originated from those countries.
He urged Gulf nations not to become a "plaything in the hands of imperialism," warning them not to attack Iranian territory.
It's not clear if the president's announcement comes into effect immediately. After the address, interceptions continued over the UAE and sirens rang in Bahrain.
– With CNN
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