A crucial step toward securing peace and freedom

As Chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus, I welcome the joint United States-Israel military operation, ‘Lion’s Roar’, launched against the Iranian regime yesterday. The operation marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East and the freedom of the Iranian people.

The action follows the failure of recent diplomatic efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which poses an unacceptable threat to global security. For too long, Iran has pursued nuclear capability, spread chaos across the region and ruthlessly suppressed its own people, all while using negotiations as a cover for its actions.

The operation also coincides with recent protests in Iran, where the Iranian people have shown remarkable courage in fighting for their freedom despite violent repression from the regime. The reported death of Ayatollah Khamenei, a brutal dictator who openly called for the destruction of Israel and the West, marks a significant turning point in their ongoing struggle for liberty and human rights.

Since coming to power in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a disruptive force in the Middle East, using its proxies to fuel terror, extremism and unrest across the region. Backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the regime has armed and financed groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, fomenting instability and violence in multiple countries.

Rather than investing in the welfare of its citizens, the Iranian regime has consistently prioritised the export of terror and the development of nuclear weapons. The Iranian people deserve better.