MEDIA STATEMENT 1 March 2026
As Chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus, I welcome the joint United States-Israel military operation, ‘Lion’s Roar’, launched against the Iranian regime yesterday. The operation marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East and the freedom of the Iranian people.
The action follows the failure of recent diplomatic efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which poses an unacceptable threat to global security. For too long, Iran has pursued nuclear capability, spread chaos across the region and ruthlessly suppressed its own people, all while using negotiations as a cover for its actions.
The operation also coincides with recent protests in Iran, where the Iranian people have shown remarkable courage in fighting for their freedom despite violent repression from the regime. The reported death of Ayatollah Khamenei, a brutal dictator who openly called for the destruction of Israel and the West, marks a significant turning point in their ongoing struggle for liberty and human rights.
Since coming to power in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a disruptive force in the Middle East, using its proxies to fuel terror, extremism and unrest across the region. Backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the regime has armed and financed groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, fomenting instability and violence in multiple countries.
Rather than investing in the welfare of its citizens, the Iranian regime has consistently prioritised the export of terror and the development of nuclear weapons. The Iranian people deserve better.
However, Iran’s destabilising influence is not limited to the Middle East. The IRGC has also been instrumental in antisemitic attacks and foreign interference operations right here in Australia. It is high time that this regime faced real accountability for its actions.
It is also critical to remember that Hamas, an Iranian-backed proxy, was responsible for the horrific October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Iran instigated this conflict as part of its openly declared ambition to eliminate the Jewish state. I stand unwaveringly behind Israel’s right to defend itself from this existential threat.
This military operation is particularly significant as it coincides with the Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia. Just as the forces of antisemitic evil were defeated in the Purim story, we could now be witnessing the defeat of the Iranian regime’s dangerous ambitions. This operation represents a crucial step toward securing peace and freedom for both the Iranian and Israeli peoples, and for the broader region.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Israeli people, innocent Iranians, and all civilians caught in the crossfire of this conflict. The international community must now come together to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and work toward a peaceful future for the Iranian people and all nations in the Middle East.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
