Australia will deploy a long-range military reconnaissance aircraft to the Gulf for an initial four-week mission aimed at protecting civilians and securing regional airspace. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision followed discussions with the president of the United Arab Emirates and is focused on safeguarding Australians and supporting regional partners against ongoing missile and drone attacks.

The government will also provide advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates at its request. About 24,000 Australians live in the Emirates, while roughly 115,000 Australian nationals are spread across the Middle East. Around 2,600 have returned home, but officials say significant challenges remain for those still seeking to leave.

Canberra has stressed that its forces are not undertaking offensive operations against Iran and will not deploy ground troops there. While Australian personnel were recently aboard a United States submarine involved in sinking an Iranian naval vessel, they were participating in training under a trilateral defense pact with Britain and the United States and did not take part in the strike.