| IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO & Kellie Tranter Lawyer, Human Rights Activist
MEDIA RELEASE 1 March 2026
IPAN calls on the Australian government to:
- Provide a transparent and unequivocal assurance that no Australian facilities or personnel were used in support of the attacks on Iran.
- Publicly condemn the attacks as a violation of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter.
- Urge all parties to cease hostilities and return to diplomatic negotiations immediately.
- Reaffirm Australia’s unwavering commitment to the UN and its obligations as a member state.
- Follow the lead of the UK, which refused the US use of its airfields, including those on Diego Garcia, in support of an attack on Iran, and adopt a similarly firm and independent position.
- It is time for Australia to have the courage to break free from the US alliance.
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) unequivocally condemns the recent military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. IPAN calls on the Australian government to commit to a path of de-escalation and diplomacy.
In response to the attacks, which commenced on 28 February 2026, the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have issued statements of support for the US actions. IPAN believes this position reinforces Australia’s subservience to the US alliance at a time of widespread international condemnation and urgent calls for restraint.
While both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have stated that Australia did not participate in Operation Epic Fury, it is well known that Pine Gap, under joint US-Australian control, functions to provide intelligence and targeting information for US military activity.
IPAN is equally concerned that RAAF Base Tindal, which hosts US military forces under the Force Posture Initiatives, may also have been implicated in support of these strikes. Furthermore, the Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station at North West Cape is a key node for US naval communications, including for submarines operating in the region.
IPAN notes the government’s statement but calls for full transparency, given Australia’s deep integration into US military infrastructure. A statement of non-participation is welcome, but it does not address the question of whether Australian facilities were used without Australia’s direct operational involvement.
The assertion that these strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon must also be challenged. ‘There is no evidence that Iran has planned to produce nuclear weapons. Iran is a signatory to the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and voted in favour of adopting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2017,’ said Ms Annette Brownlie, Chairperson of IPAN.
These strikes are reportedly aimed at regime change through the decapitation of the political elite of the country, with attacks on military compounds, ministries, and civilians, including children at school. Such strikes constitute a grave violation of international law and are reminiscent of the United States’ disastrous war in Iraq two decades ago.
As noted by Professor Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism and Challis Chair of International Law at the University of Sydney:
‘I strongly condemn the illegal Israeli and US aggression against Iran, in violation of the most fundamental rule of international law and the United Nations Charter — the ban on the use of force. This is not lawful self-defence against an armed attack by Iran and the Security Council has not authorised it. Preventive disarmament, counter-terrorism and regime change on this scale constitute the international crime of aggression.’
IPAN supports the call from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has condemned the military escalation and urged an immediate return to negotiations to prevent a wider conflict.
IPAN urges the Australian government to adopt the foundational principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, as articulated at the Bandung Conference of 1955 — in particular, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, and abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country. Adherence to these principles would represent a meaningful step towards Australia charting a genuinely independent course in foreign affairs, pursuing peaceful relations with all nations rather than following US foreign policy by default.
It is time for Australia to act as a truly independent, peace-promoting, and law-abiding nation. This requires a fundamental reassessment of the US alliance and a commitment to an independent foreign policy that prioritises diplomacy and international law over military aggression.
Ends
Media Interviews: Annette Brownlie M: 0431 597 256
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
Bio: Annette Brownlie is founding member of the Brisbane based community peace organisation, Just Peace Queensland, and the current (and inaugural) chairperson of IPAN. She has served in this position for over a decade.
About IPAN: IPAN represent many organisations across Australia – community, faith and peace groups, trade unions – and concerned individuals aiming to build public dialogue and pressure for change to a truly independent foreign policy for Australia – one in which our government plays a positive role in solving international conflicts peacefully. |
