Wong Confirms UAE Support for Stranded Australians as Iran Conflict Escalates

According to the government, around 11,000 Australians transit through the Middle East each day, most via the UAE.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks to the media during a press conference with German Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 5, 2026. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australians caught up in travel disruptions caused by the Iran conflict are being provided accommodation and meals in the United Arab Emirates.

Wong told the Senate she spoke with the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on the morning of Mar. 3 to express solidarity and thank the country for assisting Australians affected by the crisis.

“The UAE and airlines are working hard to put flights on for travel when its safe to do so and we will continue to work with airlines in the region to support Australians,” she said.

The minister also noted the scale of the disruption, saying around 11,000 Australians typically transit through the region each day, most via the UAE.

“The situation is unprecedented because in this crisis it is the hub that we would usually rely on in a crisis that are in crisis rather than being the solution,” she said.

“The number of affected Australians dwarfs any consular operation the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has ever conducted.”

Insurance and Consular Response

The government acknowledged mounting concerns about travel insurance claims, with many policies containing exclusions for conflict situations.

Wong said the assistant treasurer had been working closely with insurers during the crisis and welcomed the Insurance Council of Australia’s decision to declare the Middle East conflict a significant event.

“The government will continue to press Australia’s insurers to do the right thing by Australians facing disruption. Our priority, as I have said, is keeping Australians safe,” she said.

The government has activated its Crisis Centre and opened a registration portal for Australians in Israel, Iran, the UAE and Qatar. Wong also urged affected Australians to monitor the government travel advisory service Smartraveller for updates.

Regional Escalation

Wong’s remarks came amid intensifying hostilities. On March 2, Iran launched hundreds of missiles or drones at nine countries across the region.

“The deputy prime minister has confirmed that this included the Al Minhad facility, a facility used by Australian troops. We can confirm that all ADF personnel at embassies and deployed throughout the region are safe and accounted for,” she said.

Iranian strikes have targeted Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reportedly extending as far as a UK military base in Cyprus.

“The Albanese Government has made clear that it supports actions to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security,” Wong added.

Coalition Pushes Stronger Line

Wong’s statement followed a push by Coalition Senate Leader Michaelia Cash a day before for the parliament to formally commend the United States and Israel for what she described as sustained efforts to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Cash said the motion recognised the long-standing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, reaffirmed Australia’s opposition to any future Iranian nuclear capability and condemned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for sponsoring terrorism, including anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil.

It also criticised Tehran’s support for proxy militant groups and condemned recent Iranian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, she added.

One clause of the proposed motion welcomed the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.

However, it was rejected by Labor which moved amendments expressing a more cautious stance.