Statement by Minister McEntee on situation in the Middle East

Statement by Minister McEntee on situation in the Middle East

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 22 March 2026
• Last updated on: 22 March 2026

We are at a dangerous moment, as a growing cycle of escalation and violence takes hold in the Gulf and across the wider Middle East, with ongoing military action by Israel, the United States and Iran.

While Gulf partners have acted with notable restraint in the face of direct attacks by Iran, the risk of further escalation across the region remains grave.

Urgent action is now needed to prevent this crisis from deepening further.

We must all be clear, the obligations of international law apply to all parties and the ongoing loss of civilian life is unacceptable and must end.

The targeting of nuclear installations would mark an extremely dangerous escalation and must be avoided.

Threats by Iran to international shipping are unacceptable. Disruption to these vital routes are already having serious consequences for the global economy, felt most sharply by those least able to bear them.

Developments in Lebanon are also deeply worrying and reinforce the need to deescalate, including in order to protect UNIFIL personnel and preserve regional stability.

I call on all parties to step back, de-escalate, halt attacks, and create the space for dialogue that can lead to lasting diplomatic solutions.