What triggered the US and Israeli military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28?

The military intervention followed a total breakdown in negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. The joint US-Israeli operation targeted multiple provinces to prevent the regime from developing a nuclear weapon and to address long-term regional instability.

How did the Australian Government respond to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally declared Australia’s support for the intervention, stating that the Supreme Leader "will not be mourned." He cited the regime's history of state-sponsored oppression and its role as a destabilising force in the Middle East as the primary reasons for Australia's stance.

What were the immediate retaliatory actions following the strikes in Iran?

The situation escalated rapidly with reports of Tehran targeting a US military base in Bahrain. Additionally, retaliatory explosions were reported in Kuwait and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, signaling a significant spike in regional geopolitical risk.

What is the current travel advice for Australians in the Middle East?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has upgraded travel advice to "Do Not Travel" for Iran, Israel, and Lebanon. The government has activated its Crisis Centre and warned that its ability to provide consular assistance in the region is now extremely limited.

How could this escalation affect global energy markets and oil prices?

While not explicitly detailed in the report, a conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait typically increases the "geopolitical risk premium" on crude oil. Investors should monitor for supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, as increased volatility in energy prices often impacts global inflation and transport-linked equities.

Does Australia support a forced regime change in Iran after these strikes?

While expressing support for the "brave people of Iran" and their human rights, Prime Minister Albanese stopped short of calling for an externally mandated regime change. He suggested that the nation’s political destiny should ultimately be determined by its own citizens.

What are the key risks for retail investors to watch following this news?

The primary risks include rapid escalation into a broader regional war and the potential for cyber or proxy attacks on Western interests. Investors should watch for shifts in "safe haven" assets like gold or the USD, as well as the impact of "Do Not Travel" advisories on the aviation and tourism sectors.

Albanese backs US strike following Khamenei's death

Q: Why does the Australian Government view the Iranian regime as a direct threat to domestic sovereignty?

Prime Minister Albanese noted that the regime orchestrated at least two "appalling" attacks on Australian soil in 2024, specifically targeting the Jewish community.

Written by Liezl GambePublished Mar. 1 2026Last Updated Mar. 1 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared Australia's support for the United States' military intervention in Iran, following a massive joint US-Israeli operation on Feb. 28 that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Speaking from Canberra on March 1, Albanese stated that the regime's leader "will not be mourned," citing decades of regional destabilisation and state-sponsored oppression.

The strikes, which hit multiple Iranian provinces, were launched after a total breakdown in nuclear enrichment negotiations.

The situation escalated rapidly as Tehran reportedly targeted a US base in Bahrain, while retaliatory explosions were felt in Kuwait and Riyadh.

Despite the volatility, Albanese defended the necessity of the action, asserting that the international community could "never allow" the regime to develop a nuclear weapon.

Domestically, the Prime Minister highlighted the regime's direct interference in Australian sovereignty, noting that Tehran had orchestrated at least two "appalling" attacks on Australian soil in 2024.

The actions previously led the government to expel the Iranian Ambassador and list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.

"But we stand with the Iranian people in standing up for their human rights. They have suffered being singled out across the board," Albanese said, though he stopped short of calling for outside regime change, suggesting the nation’s destiny remains with its citizens.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Crisis Centre, upgrading travel advice to "Do Not Travel" for Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, warning that consular assistance remains extremely limited as the region braces for further fallout.