War: Israel, Iran experience exodus of Australians

The warring Israel and Iran are currently experiencing an exodus of Australians living in the two countries.

About 2,000 Australian citizens have registered for assistance to leave the Middle East, according to updated government data.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday that over 1,000 Australian citizens in Israel and another 870 in Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for government assistance to safely leave the region.

Chalmers said that the government is working “very closely” with those citizens via DFAT and is closely monitoring developments in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Obviously our major focus is on the human cost of this escalating conflict,” he said.

“And our focus, in an immediate sense, is working with those almost 2,000 Australians who’ve indicated that they want to get out of that very perilous, very dangerous part of the world right now.”

As of Monday, 350 citizens in Iran and 300 in Israel had notified DFAT of their desire to leave.

Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy said on Tuesday that the government is preparing plans to either evacuate Australians or get them onto commercial flights when air zones reopen.

(Xinhua/NAN)