Australia expects Iran war to intensify, shuts some Middle East embassies
SYDNEY, March 11 (Reuters) - Australia has closed its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv as well as its consulate in Dubai, the foreign minister said on Wednesday, amid fears the conflict in the Middle East could intensify.
* Foreign Minister Penny Wong said at least nine citieswhere Australian embassies and consulates are located haveexperienced missile and drone attacks. * "Iran's reprisal attacks continue at scale and at a depththat we have not seen before," she told parliament. * The conflict was "likely to intensify and continue in thenear term", she said. * "Our missions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Tel Aviv have allhad to physically close in the last week." * Australia has also directed dependants of diplomaticofficials in the United Arab Emirates and Israel to leave. * "The dangerous and destabilising attacks by Iran putcivilian lives at risk, including Australian lives, and wecontinue to support Australians affected as limited commercialflights resume and we expand consular efforts," Wong said. * More than 3,200 Australians have returned from the MiddleEast on 23 commercial flights. About 115,000 citizens were inthe region when the conflict began.(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Sonali Paul)
