Australia asks the families of its diplomats to leave Israel and Lebanon

The Australian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it had asked the families of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave the two countries, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and mounting fears of a conflict erupting between the United States and Iran.

The Department of Foreign Affairs added that the Australian government continues to advise its citizens in Israel and Lebanon to leave while commercial flight options remain available.

Canberra did not announce the closure of any of its embassies or consulates in the Middle East.