Dozens of Australians withdrawn from Israel amid ceasefire; evacuations from Iran remain difficult

At least twenty-nine Australians and their immediate family members fleeing Israel have been evacuated from Tel Aviv after Israel opened its airspace amid a ceasefire with Iran, according to News Wire. Meanwhile, the situation is tough in Iran, as Australia closed its embassy in Tehran and moved diplomatic operations to neighbouring Azerbaijan.

The latest evacuation of Australians from Israel, on a second government-assisted flight, came amid the uncertainty around the time period of the ceasefire, as the airspace could shut again anytime.

The latest flight, which was backed by defence and diplomatic personnel, offered seats to around 300 Australians, with Senior Minister Katy Gallagher claiming Thursday, June 29, 2025, that the government was “providing further assisted travel.”


“We’ve had defence assets in the region ready to go for when airspace opens up,” she told the ABC. “We had 4000 Australians register in both Iran and Israel who have indicated they would like to come home. And so, those flights have helped with that. As airspace opens and more commercial options are available, we would expect to see more Australians coming home through those options as well,” she added.

The latest evacuation effort comes days after 119 Australians were withdrawn from Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight.

Situation Harder in Iran

Unlike Israel, the situation is a bit hard in Iran as far as evacuation is concerned, as Australia shifted diplomatic operations to neighbouring Azerbaijan. Senator Gallagher said the situation was harder as Azerbaijan is the most difficult country to return home from.

“We have Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff assisting on the border of Azerbaijan, and they will continue to be there. But I haven’t been advised of any further changes to essentially how people are able to get out of Iran. It is difficult,” she said.

Gallagher expressed hope and said that if the ceasefire holds, then the government would be able to see further options available to people”.