Sunrise host Nat Barr has confronted Foreign Minister Penny Wong over Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s failure to make public statements about the US bombing of Iran.

The Trump administration confirmed it had completed an attack on three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The US used “bunker buster” bombs, also known as the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which are designed to explode twice. Once on impact, and again up to 60 metres underground.

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At least six B-2 Spirit bombers were deployed to attack Iran’s deeply buried Fordow nuclear site.

The B-2 Spirit is the only aircraft capable of carrying the MOP and is the US Air Force’s most advanced stealth bomber.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Wong did not speak at the weekend, with only a statement released from a government spokesperson about the attacks.

Barr spoke with Wong about the attacks, asking about the silence in the country’s leadership.

“Why take so long? Why release a statement from an unnamed government spokesperson yesterday? Then wait nearly 24 hours for you or the Prime Minister to speak?” Barr asked.

Wong replied: “Well, I’m here talking to you now, Nat. I think the government statement was very clear. We agree with the international community — that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.”

Co-host Matt Shirvington asked about Albanese’s silence.

“What about Albo? What about the Prime Minister? Because when you read a news article, there’s hundreds of comments underneath it ... a lot of it is about where is Anthony Albanese? Where is the leadership here?” Shirvington asked.

Wong: “I’m sure you will be hearing from the Prime Minister today.”

Barr: “Don’t you think it’s unusual, our biggest ally bombs Iran and we release a statement from an unnamed spokesperson. Yes, you’re here now, but would you not think it would have been something that the leader of this country would have spoken about before now?”

Wong: “Nat, it’s not an unknown spokesperson. It’s a government spokesperson. It’s not an unusual thing for government to use spokespeople.”

Barr: “We’re asking where the Prime Minister is?”

Wong: “I’m sure you will hear from the Prime Minister today.

“I would make this point, we have been, I think very up-front and clear over these last days and weeks as we see what is happening in the Middle East about the government’s position.

“Our position today is consistent with what I have been saying and what the Prime Minister has been saying for many days now.”

Support of the strikes

Wong made it clear the Australian government supports actions which stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.

“We support action that prevents Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and that is what this is,” Wong said.

“So, we’ve made that clear. We do support action to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon.

“The world has long said Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“Sites that have been struck are specific to Iran’s nuclear program.

“We know what the international watchdog, the nuclear watchdog, has said about Iran’s non-compliance with international obligations.

“What I would say is what happens next matters. We certainly don’t want to see escalation and a full-scale war in the Middle East.

“For all the consequences for the people of the region and the world.”

Role of Australian troops?

Wong spoke about additional ADF personnel in the region.

“We have deployed additional ADF personnel into the region for the purposes of trying to get Australians out, and obviously we still have, think 2,900 people, Australians and their families in Iran.

‘We have about 1,300 or more Australians in Israel, who are registered with us as seeking to leave.

“Our focus, both in terms of the foreign affairs officials and the ADF personnel, is to take what opportunity we can to Australians to leave. Obviously, Iran is a very difficult situation. There are no Australian officials in country any longer.

“I have deployed Australian officials to the Azerbaijan border.

“If Australians and their families get to that border, there are people there to assist.

“In relation to Israel, again the air space is closed. There are some reports the air space opening for a window.

“Obviously, this is all uncertain, but we are making preparations to see if we can utilise that window, if we are able.”

What’s next?

Wong has called for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation.

“I know there’s a lot of focus on what happened over the last 24 hours,” Wong said.

“But we do have to focus on what happens next, because this is a time where we do need to prevent and avert any further escalation into a full-scale war.

“That’s why the government has called for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation.

“It’s the same call European leaders have made. It’s the same call Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made.”