MEDIA STATEMENT
18 March 2026
Australian Defence Facility in UAE Attacked by Iran
I’m sure every Australian shares the relief that no Australian Defence Force Personnel were injured following the strike on Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates by Iran.
Al Minhad has long been a critical hub for Australian Defence Force operations. Many Australian servicemen and women have been posted and passed through the base on their way to and from conflict zones, and it has been a transit point for personnel receiving medical care after being wounded on deployment. This attack therefore, resonates deeply for me and countless others who have relied on the base during operations in the Middle East.
The incident is another reminder of the destabilising actions of the radicalised Islamic Republic regime in Iran and underscores the importance of supporting measures that enhance the safety of deployed Australian personnel. The Coalition supports the deployment of the E 7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to assist in protecting our defence forces personnel and our partners such as the UAE, who are being targeted.
This strike represents a concerning escalation targeting Australians and our facilities. The government must ensure that every necessary resource, capability and level of support is provided to protect the safety of Australian servicemen and women involved in this important mission.
This is a clear reminder, the Iranian government is no friend of Australia.
ENDS