‘As if words can stop warheads’: Israel’s ambassador to Australia disparages calls for diplomacy after Wong urges dialogue

<p>Foreign affairs minister says situation in Middle East ‘very perilous’ as Anthony Albanese urges Australians to leave the region</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Israel’s ambassador to Australia has disparaged calls for diplomacy in comments made shortly after the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, called for de-escalation and a “return to dialogue”.</p><p>While Australia backs Israel’s “right to self-defence” after strikes on Iranian nuclear operations and military leaders that have sparked a barrage of retaliatory fire, Wong said “we urge de-escalation, we urge restraint, we urge dialogue and diplomacy”.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/15/we-know-iran-is-a-threat-australia-backs-israels-right-to-self-defence-but-wont-play-a-military-role-in-conflict">Continue reading...</a>