Nat Barr’s terrifying ‘war’ question for Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles: ‘Very concerned’

By HARRISON CHRISTIAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:06 BST, 17 June 2025 | Updated: 00:17 BST, 18 June 2025

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has faced tough questions from Sunrise host Nat Barr over whether Australia would get involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. 

Marles, who is also the Defence Minister, backed Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for calm in the region during the tense interview on Wednesday morning. 

‘We very much understand Israel’s right to defend itself. We also understand the threat that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program represents to the peace and stability of the Middle East – the peace and stability of the Middle East and the world,’ he said.

Barr continued to press Marles on Australia’s position.

‘We have the UK sending Royal Air Force jets into the Middle East. Our allies are on a war footing. Where does that leave us?’ she asked.

Marles replied that Australia’s efforts were currently focused on diplomatic solutions and preparing for assisted departures of Australians in the area. 

‘We want to see a de-escalation here. We do understand what is in play. We are very concerned about the prospect for this escalating into a wider conflict.

‘There are many Australians in both Iran and Israel, and obviously, we are very focused on them right now.’

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has faced tough questions from Sunrise host Nat Barr

Marles backed Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for calm amid rising instability in the region

Pressed again on whether Australia would support a US-led military response, Marles declined to speculate. 

‘If Trump asks for military support from Australia, what would we do?’ Barr asked.

‘I’m not about to speculate on what may or may not happen there,’ the acting prime minister replied.

‘Actually, I take America at face value, which is that their posture right now is defensive in nature – it’s about defending their people and assets within the region.

‘Right now, our call is for a de-escalation, to seek diplomacy and dialogue, and our preparations right now are very much focused on providing for assisted departures of Australians who are in the region.’

The interview came as Donald Trump held a crisis meeting in the White House Situation Room and prepared to make the biggest decision of his presidency – whether to engage US forces in Israel’s war with Iran.

Trump had earlier issued a chilling death threat to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, revealing the US knows his precise location and that he is an ‘easy target’.

Four US B-52 Stratofortress bombers are now stationed at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, within striking distance of Iran.   

The cancellation of the first ever face-to-face meeting between the two leaders was a major blow for Albanese

Trump made his threat to the Ayatollah after abruptly leaving the G7 summit in Canada to fly back to Washington, scotching a planned meeting with Anthony Albanese on Wednesday morning AEST.

The cancellation of the first ever face-to-face meeting between the two leaders was a major blow for Albanese as he tries to shore up the AUKUS submarine deal – now under review by the US.

It also presented a crucial opportunity for the prime minister to negotiate an exemption from Trump’s tariffs: a 50 per cent levy on Aussie aluminium and steel products sent to the US, and a baseline 10 per cent levy on other goods. 

Albanese had previously decried the tariffs as an ‘economic act of self-harm’ and signalled he was considering using US beef imports and Aussie minerals as potential bargaining chips.

Since Trump’s re-election, the pair have spoken on the phone, but they have never met in person.

Albanese is meeting world leaders on the sidelines of the summit at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, though Australia is not a member of the G7. 

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Nat Barr’s terrifying ‘war’ question for Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles: ‘Very concerned’

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