Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, stated in a recent interview with an Australian program that Australia’s military deployments in the Persian Gulf could become targets. He said that Iran does not distinguish between offensive and defensive actions, adding that “the Australian government has chosen to side with the aggressors.” He warned that if Australian military assets threaten Iran, they will be considered legitimate targets for self-defense.
These remarks came after Australia dispatched an E7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, 85 personnel, and air defense missiles to the United Arab Emirates last week. Meanwhile, Baghaei also criticized Australia for granting asylum to members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, claiming the players were “held hostage” and used as pawns in political maneuvers supporting the United States and Israel.
Baghaei further accused the United States and Israel of carrying out “illegal wars” through the assassination of Iranian leaders and innocent civilians, causing catastrophic consequences for Iran and the Middle East, and warned the global community to take these assassination operations seriously. He emphasized that Iran has the right to self-defense and will spare no effort to safeguard its national sovereignty and the security of its leaders.
Commentary:
These remarks by the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister pose a direct challenge to Australia’s security and foreign policy, clearly attempting to draw Australia into the geopolitical conflict between Iran and the United States. This not only threatens the safety of personnel stationed in the UAE but also places Australia in a dilemma between international public opinion and military confrontation.
Currently, Australia appears to be in a phase of careful deliberation, striving to avoid direct involvement in the conflict while simultaneously signaling its stance to allies. Although the deployment of E7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and air defense missiles is intended to bolster the defenses of Gulf nations, it may also provoke threats or retaliation from Iran. Australia must strengthen its intelligence capabilities, crisis response mechanisms, and multilateral diplomatic coordination to balance national security with international commitments.