Around 2,000 Australian citizens have now registered for assistance to leave the Middle East, according to the latest figures released by the government.
Speaking on Wednesday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed that more than 1,000 Australians currently in Israel and another 870 in Iran have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to request help exiting the region.
Chalmers emphasized that the government is working very closely with those individuals through DFAT and is actively monitoring the unfolding crisis in the region.
“Obviously our major focus is on the human cost of this escalating conflict,” he said.
“And our focus, in an immediate sense, is working with those almost 2,000 Australians who’ve indicated that they want to get out of that very perilous, very dangerous part of the world right now.”
Earlier in the week, DFAT confirmed that as of Monday, 350 citizens in Iran and 300 in Israel had expressed interest in leaving.
Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy also addressed the situation on Tuesday, stating that contingency plans are being developed to help Australians either evacuate or board commercial flights once airspace restrictions are lifted.
