Israeli Ambassador hails Australia’s Iran stance

Israel’s new ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, says Israel and the United States are not formally pursuing regime change in Iran, but are “laying the foundation” for Iranians to determine their own future.

“We don’t define regime change as the objective of the operation,” Newman told a Zoom briefing hosted by the United Israel Appeal (UIA) on Tuesday afternoon.

“We are laying the foundation, setting the conditions for a regime change. But the regime change must come from the people of Iran. It won’t work if Israel or the United States tries to enforce a new leadership on the Iranian people.”

Newman said the joint US–Israel campaign was designed to remove what he called two “long-term existential threats” to Israel: Iran’s nuclear program and its ballistic missile capability.

“This is a joint operation. It’s not an Israeli mission on its own,” he said.

He argued the threat was not only directed at Israel but “against the United States of America, the Western world, Europe”.

On ballistic missiles, Newman said Iran’s intention was to stockpile thousands of missiles and “launch them all at once against the infrastructure of Israel”, potentially overwhelming air defences.

“Even the most sophisticated interception defence mechanisms can’t handle a large quantity of missiles at the same time,” he said, claiming that if “thousands are launched … a few hundred” could get through and cause catastrophic damage.

Newman said diplomatic efforts preceded the strikes, arguing Iran used delaying tactics while seeking to rebuild and deepen its nuclear facilities beyond the reach of air attack.

He referred to last June’s US military operation against Iranian nuclear sites called “Midnight Hammer”, claiming it inflicted heavy damage on nuclear infrastructure, including at Fordow, but said Iran retained enriched uranium and was moving quickly towards “weaponisation”.

He described the Iranian regime as a comprehensive issue and “like an octopus with many, many tentacles”, citing Tehran’s support for armed proxies including Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as repression at home.

“No sympathies for the regime,” he said.

The ambassador said Israel and the US sought to distinguish between military and civilian targets.

“We make a clear distinction between military and civilian,” he said. “Israel does not target any civilian facility — in direct contrast to the Iranians, that their missiles and their drone attacks … target civilian populated areas.”

Newman praised what he called the “resilience” of Israelis living under missile attacks, claiming interception rates were “above 90%”, while acknowledging fatalities and injuries.

He also commended Australia’s response, saying he welcomed statements he characterised as supportive of US and Israeli action against Iran.

He cited as “positive signs” in the bilateral relationship the speed with which Australian authorities invited him to present credentials after he arrived.

Newman said airspace closures had stranded many people, including Israelis and visitors, and urged those seeking to leave Israel to register for rescue flights once services resume.