Overview
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an E-7A Wedgetail will deploy for an initial four weeks with about 85 personnel, alongside advanced medium‑range air‑to‑air missiles for the UAE.
- Australia ruled out offensive strikes or any ground deployment into Iran, citing the need to protect UAE airspace and large numbers of Australian citizens in the region.
- UAE air defences reported fresh interceptions on March 9 and said they have destroyed 233 ballistic missiles, 1,359 drones and eight cruise missiles since the campaign began, with four deaths and 117 injuries recorded.
- A drone struck the UAE consulate in Erbil, causing structural damage without casualties, which the UAE condemned as a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law.
- UAE officials reiterated that the country is not a party to attacks on Iran and that its bases are not being used for such operations, as flight disruptions and consular evacuations continue.