Australians stranded in Middle East as airspace shuts
Australians stranded in the Middle East could face weeks of uncertainty as more than 100,000 citizens are unable to leave the region.
Lucy Finter left Sydney for London on Saturday and was “completely unaware” of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran – the killing of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – until she landed in Dubai for a break.
Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, which was thrown into chaos and damaged by the strike, all flights were suddenly cancelled.
“No one knew what was going on, then we looked at the news online and saw missiles being fired and the airspace being closed,” the Australian woman told AAP.
Ms Finter and her partner from the UK have completed repatriation forms from the UK and Australian governments but have yet to hear anything further.
“There is little to no communication, which is understandable because this is unprecedented,” said Ms Finter, hoping to return to Australia or the UK.
“I’m trying to stay calm, but then I hear another missile.”
Ms Finter said she was moved to tears when she read US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Monday that the war in Iran would last “about four weeks”.
“There is uncertainty that comes from wondering how long we will be here,” he said.
David Smith, professor of American politics and foreign policy at the University of Sydney, said Trump’s four-week timeframe was firm but dependent on variables beyond his control.
“Trump has a tendency to describe things in very optimistic terms,” Dr Smith said.
“It’s really going to depend on how the Iranian regime responds. A lot of this is pretty unpredictable.”
Dr Smith said Trump was unlikely to expect Australia to become involved in the conflict because he wanted “limited military action”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no request for the Australian military to get involved.
“We are very far away from Australia and we are not big players in the Middle East,” he told ABC’s 7.30 programme.
He said it was inappropriate for events mourning the death of Ayatollah Khamenei to continue following reports that four Shiite mosques and Islamic centers in Australia were planning vigils.
“Overwhelmingly people will not be able to attend,” Mr Albanese said.
The Prime Minister has previously advised Australians not to travel to Iran and to leave as soon as possible if it is safe to do so.
“The registration portal is now open for Australians seeking assistance in Israel, Iran, the UAE and Qatar,” he told parliament on Monday.
Defense Minister Richard Marles expected commercial flights to come online first when travel began to reopen.
“The airspace in the Middle East is currently blacked out, so there is no air travel,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said there were approximately 115,000 Australians in the Middle East.
The Albanian government has repeatedly refused to say whether the military intervention was legal under international law.
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