Defence Minister Richard Marles has confirmed that an Iranian missile strike targeted the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, a critical hub for Australian military operations.
While the base is operated by the UAE Air Force, it has served as Australia's primary Middle East headquarters and logistics foothold since 2003.
Minister Marles reported that the facility was targeted by both missiles and drones over the weekend, emphasising that the base is "very important" for the more than 100 Australian personnel currently stationed across the region.
Despite the gravity of the assault, all Australian service members have been accounted for and remain safe.
The conflict has triggered widespread travel chaos, leaving thousands of civilians in limbo. Foreign Minister Penny Wong held urgent talks with her UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on March 3 to coordinate the safety of the estimated 115,000 Australians currently in the Middle East.
With regional airspace facing intermittent closures, approximately 11,000 daily transiting passengers have been impacted.
Sheikh Abdullah reassured the federal government that the UAE is providing meals and accommodation to stranded Australians while working to resume flight operations safely.
Minister Wong expressed her gratitude for the UAE's "generosity" and confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working around the clock to assist those affected by the instability.
The Australian Defence Force remains on high alert as the government monitors the security of its strategic assets abroad.