Shortly after the attacks began, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, (Dfat) updated its “Smartraveller” website’s entry on Iran, confirming that “there have been airstrikes on Iran, including in Tehran and other locations”.
“There is a high risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation across the region,” the website said.
An hour later, the department also updated its warnings for Israel, highlighting a specific “risk of reprisal attacks on Israel” and advising people there to “try to get to an underground shelter if possible, or at minimum seek a shelter close to ground level”.
It noted reports that Israeli airspace was closed.
The department’s Iran update noted that “Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations. We continue to advise do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it’s safe to do so. Regional tensions remain high and there continues to be a risk of military conflict.
“If you remain in Iran, be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period. Make sure you have supplies of water, food and medication. The security situation in Iran is extremely volatile. Avoid public gatherings and protests. Australians, including dual nationals, are at a high risk of being detained.”
The warnings advised of the “risk of military conflict”.
“If you’re in Israel or Lebanon, consider leaving while commercial options to depart are still available,” the advice said. “Conflict could lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations and other disruptions.”
On Wednesday last week, Australia announced it was withdrawing all the dependents of Australian officials from Israel and Lebanon “due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East” and offered voluntary evacuation for the dependents of officials in Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.
Story sourced from here