Wong Calls for Lebanon to Be Included in US–Iran Ceasefire, Urges Israel to Halt Strikes

‘We’ve called for the ceasefire to apply to Lebanon ... if fighting continues in Lebanon, it risks the whole ceasefire across the region,’ said Penny Wong.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong talks to journalists at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 12, 2026. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has called on Israel to cease strikes on Lebanon, warning that continued violence risks undermining the broader US–Iran ceasefire.

On April 7, the United States announced a temporary two-week ceasefire on its war with Iran, brokered with the assistance of Pakistan.

But on April 8, the Israeli Air Force launched its largest wave yet of airstrikes against terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Iran threatening to strike back at Israel.

Iran has long been Hezbollah’s main backer, providing funding, weapons and training for the group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had a “finger on the trigger” and was ready to respond to any Iranian attack.

While Pakistan said the ceasefire included Lebanon and Iran has pushed for its inclusion, Israeli and U.S. leaders said Lebanon was not part of the agreement.

Amid the tension, Wong has raised concerns about Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, saying it could threaten the “fragile” ceasefire.

“We’ve called for the ceasefire to apply to Lebanon and for both Hizballah and Israel to observe the ceasefire. And the reason is that if fighting continues in Lebanon, it risks the whole ceasefire across the region,” she told ABC Radio on April 9.

“So, we called for that last night. We’ve been joined overnight by the G7 and other countries saying the same thing, and we continue to assert that.

“We want the ceasefire to hold. We know it’s fragile, we know what it means for the world and we know what it means for Australians at the petrol bowser.”

The minister also revealed that Australia had signed a joint statement with with Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom, calling for the protection of humanitarian workers.

“Respect for international humanitarian law is essential to preserving human dignity, mitigating civilian harm, and maintaining the space needed for humanitarian action and access,” the statement read.

“We condemn in the strongest terms actions that have killed UN peace keepers and significantly increased the risks faced by humanitarian personnel in southern Lebanon.”

Opposition’s Response

Meanwhile, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson said it was important for Australia to stand with its allies.

“If forced to choose between whether we believe the United States and Israel on one hand or the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other, I think that’s an easy choice,” he said.

“I think we should, as Australia, prefer the side of our allies and friends.”

Paterson also noted that Australia should be sceptical about any claims made by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whether about the ceasefire or any other matter.

“Now, of course, Australia’s national interest is that the ceasefire holds, that the Strait of Hormuz reopens so that oil prices can come down, so that petrol and diesel prices can come down too,” he said.

“We want that to be sustainable and durable. And we certainly don’t want to see the IRGC using the Strait of Hormuz as a toll booth to raise revenue in the future, which we know they would use to continue to sponsor their acts of terror, not just in the Middle East but around the world.”