International law experts have condemned Australia for supporting what they say is an illegal attack by the United States and Israel on Iran. The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, endorsed the strikes, stating that 'Australia supports action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security'. Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also cited alleged Iranian-orchestrated attacks in Melbourne and Sydney in 2024 as justification for the bombing raids.
Ben Saul, a University of Sydney professor and UN special rapporteur, said the attack was 'clearly a violation of the ban on the use of force under the UN charter and international law'. He argued that domestic criminal acts by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps do not constitute an armed attack justifying self-defence. Saul warned that Australia's endorsement undermines the rules-based international order: 'When countries like Australia roll over and support this kind of illegal aggression, that’s the worst thing, in terms of contributing to the erosion of international law'.
Donald Rothwell, a professor of international law at the Australian National University, also said the attack lacked legal justification under the UN charter or a Security Council resolution. He called for a clearer statement from the Australian government. Wong declined to comment on the legal basis, deferring to the US and Israel, while Albanese said the question of legality was for those directly involved.
The Greens' foreign affairs spokesperson, David Shoebridge, accused the government of outsourcing foreign policy to Washington, noting that US bases like Pine Gap in the Northern Territory are likely used for targeting. Wong refused to comment on Pine Gap's role. The government has previously made similar statements backing US strikes on Iran in June 2025.
