Overview
- Canberra confirmed an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail, roughly 85 ADF personnel, and a supply of AMRAAM air‑to‑air missiles are deploying to the UAE on a time‑limited mission.
- Crews were reported to be departing midweek with the aircraft expected to be operational over the Gulf by the end of the week.
- Leaders say the operation is not offensive against Iran and involves no Australian troops on the ground in Iran.
- Australia cites the need to protect about 115,000 nationals in the Middle East, including around 24,000 in the UAE, with DFAT crisis teams already assisting and more than 2,600 people returned home.
- Security experts caution the move, alongside humanitarian visas for members of Iran’s women’s soccer team, could raise retaliation or homegrown extremism risks, as the national threat level remains at probable.