By Tess Ikonomou and Kat Wong

Australia has backed Israel’s right to self-defence after strikes on Iranian nuclear operations and military leaders that have sparked a barrage of retaliatory fire.

Iran and Israel have targeted each other with missile and air strikes after the latter launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its long-time foe.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the situation in the Middle East was a “very perilous, risky” situation.

“Israel has a right to self defence,” she told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.

“We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel.”

Senator Wong confirmed she had spoken with her Iranian counterpart and urged his country to exercise restraint while returning to dialogue.

“Continuing to escalate this has consequences for all peoples of the region,” she said.

“That is that is a position that so many countries in the world are putting to, not only the Iranians, but also to the Israelis.”

Australia on Wednesday announced sanctions would be imposed on two Israeli government ministers over their stance on illegal West Bank settlements, a move done in conjunction with other nations including Canada and the United Kingdom.

But it has widened the nation’s rift with the US over Israel after Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the measure.

Senator Wong said the decision to break away from the US and sanction senior Netanyahu government ministers wasn’t taken lightly.

Asked if Australia had weakened its influence with both Israel and the US on a two-state solution as a result of the split, the foreign minister said extremist settler violence wasn’t consistent with the aspiration of Palestinian statehood.

“We’re so far from that right now (two-states) but that is why the international community is trying to work together to build this pathway,” she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians in the region to leave amid the escalating conflict.

“It’s obviously a very volatile situation,” he told reporters in Seattle on Saturday, local time.

The US was notified about the Israeli strikes in advance but Washington officials have been quick to point out it played no part in the attacks, warning Iran not to target its personnel or interests.

Mr Albanese landed in the US on his way to the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday.

He is expected to meet with a range of global leaders, including US president Donald Trump, who had been working with Iran on a nuclear deal.

Tariff discussions are expected to take the spotlight but defence talks could also feature after the US urged Australia to increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.

Australia is already forecast to grow military spending to 2.3 per cent of GDP and Mr Albanese insisted his government would give “whatever capability Australia needs to defend our national interest”.

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