Australia Sends Missiles to UAE and Deploys Surveillance Aircraft Amid Iran War

Eleven days after the Iran conflict began, around 115,000 Australians were in the Middle East, with 2,600 having since returned home by commercial flights as several Gulf cities came under Iranian bombardment. The war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. In response, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the country will deploy a Boeing-manufactured E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to the region for an initial four weeks to protect Gulf airspace. Following a phone call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australia will also provide advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates. Albanese stressed that Australia's involvement is "purely defensive," protecting both Australians in the region and Gulf allies.