Australia urges its citizens to leave Iran or shelter in place

Australia has announced it is suspending operations at its embassy in Tehran due to the deteriorating security environment and has directed the departure of all Australian officials, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Thursday.

Wong advised Australians to leave Iran if they were able to, or shelter in place.

Australia's ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government's response to the crisis, Wong said.