An Iranian projectile has hit near the Australian Al Minhad airbase located in the United Arab Emirates, leading to damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility. In a briefing, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that there were no injuries to any Australian personnel at the base during the incident, which occurred at 9.15 AM AEDT on Wednesday. The government has refrained from confirming whether the strike was a direct target on the Al Minhad base while emphasizing that Australia is not currently at war.

Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the broader context of the strike, stating that the Iranian regime has been involved in indiscriminate attacks throughout the region. He indicated that the Australian government remains vigilant in the face of these threats. Just a week prior to this incident, the federal government announced plans to deploy a specialist surveillance aircraft and a stockpile of air-to-air missiles to the UAE as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Australian personnel in the region, which has faced escalating tensions.

Australia has retained a reduced military presence at Al Minhad airbase since concluding operations in Afghanistan. Reports indicate approximately 50 Australian Defence Force (ADF) staff members remain stationed there. As tensions continue to rise due to Iran's retaliatory actions, the Australian government’s response and military preparedness will likely become crucial in diplomatic and security discussions within the region.