Defence Minister Richard Marles has stated that questions regarding the legality of recent strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel are matters for those nations to address, while reaffirming the Australian government’s support for the Iranian people.
Support for Preventing Nuclear Capability
“We support the United States in preventing Iran acquiring a nuclear capability. The UN Security Council has long been in a position of doing everything within its power to stop Iran acquiring that capability,” Marles told ABC Radio National this morning.
“Ultimately, the legality of these measures is a matter for both the United States and Israel to go through, but we support the United States in preventing Iran acquiring this [nuclear] capability.”
The US and Israel have defended the attacks as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though experts have raised concerns about their compliance with international law. The United Nations charter prohibits member states from using force unless authorized by the Security Council or in self-defence.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier stated that the US and Israel would be responsible for justifying their actions.
Marles added, “We certainly regard the regime in Iran as being abhorrent, and we certainly support the United States in taking action to prevent Iran from being able to acquire a nuclear weapon and to prevent, to stop, its nuclear program. And more than that, we very much support the Iranian people in the way in which they have stood up to this regime. So we do support the action that the United States has taken, and we very much stand with the Iranian people in this moment.”
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