<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="" title="Anthony Albanese"><span>Anthony Albanese</span></a><span> has said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "will not be mourned" as he doubled down on Australia's support for the US to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Alabese said Australia "stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I understand this is a very difficult time for the tens of thousands of Australians with loved ones in the Middle East. The days ahead are going to be difficult. They are uncertain," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-launch-attack-on-iran-live-updates-us-begins-major-combat-operations--israel-launches-attack-on-irans-capital/2a7ce3d3-dbba-413c-9053-397468cc6bec"><strong><span>US launches 'major combat operations in Iran'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said he believed it was key for global stability that Iran did not obtain a nuclear weapon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We support the [United] States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace security," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/usa-israel-attack-iran-anthony-alabanese-statement-australia/8994873d-8665-41cf-ad9e-b63836ba6fde" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"His passing will not be mourned," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement released yesterday, just hours after the strikes began, Albanese slammed the "brutal acts of violence and intimidation" the regime uses, including targeted attacks in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese said he supported the United States "acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security," though did not directly mention the strikes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people, leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead. A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Referencing two attacks on Jewish synagogues in Australia in 2024, Albanese said: "These appalling acts targeting Australia's Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXPLAINED:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/iran-strikes-israel-usa-following-nuclear-talks-how-it-reached-this-point/f2628aa6-b240-4dc7-8cf2-94ec6addbe6e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump went from 'not happy' to bombing Iran in hours - here's why</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As a result of the attacks, Australia expelled Iran's ambassador and listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese said Iran has been a "destabilising force" through its ballistic missile and nuclear program.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>WATCH:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-strikes-on-iran-full-speech-transcript/4dabc670-7f04-4d01-8e29-fffdce9c0836" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump tells Iranian officials to lay down arms or 'face death'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said it was a "threat to world peace".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," Albanese added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Opposition leader Angus Taylor called Iran's regime "authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies - Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putin's invasion of Ukraine," he said in a post on X.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We pray for the Iranian people at this time."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></li><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>