Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that his country will deploy a military surveillance ‌aircraft to West Asia and send missiles to the United Arab Emirates but will not put troops on the ground in ​Iran. Australia’s ​military support would help the Gulf countries defend ⁠themselves against unprovoked attacks from Iran, Albanese said, stressing Australia ​was not a protagonist.

He said Australia will deploy one of its ​Boeing-manufactured E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft for ‌an ⁠initial four weeks to protect the airspace above the Gulf countries. Advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles would be provided to the United Arab Emirates, following a phone call with President ​Mohammed bin ​Zayed Al Nahyan, ⁠he added.

Around 115,000 Australians were in West Asia when the conflict began 11 days ago and ⁠2,600 Australians ​have now returned home by ​commercial flights as several Gulf cities came under Iranian bombardment.