SYDNEY — The Australian government announced on Thursday a six-month ban on visitors holding Iranian passports, citing heightened risks that temporary visa holders may refuse or be unable to return home amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Department of Home Affairs said the ban applies to individuals seeking to enter Australia for tourism or work purposes, with some exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis, such as parents of Australian citizens.
“The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unwilling to leave Australia when their visa expires,” the department said in a statement.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that visitor visas issued prior to the conflict would likely not be approved now. “The decision to settle permanently in Australia should be made in a planned manner by the government, not a random consequence of who books a holiday,” he said.
Australia is home to over 85,000 people born in Iran, with significant diaspora communities in Sydney and Melbourne.
Tensions between the two countries escalated earlier this month when Australia granted asylum to seven members of an Iranian women’s soccer team visiting the country. The players were branded “traitors” in Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match — a protest against the Islamic Republic.
Five of the seven individuals later withdrew their asylum applications, amid concerns that their families may have faced pressure or threats from Iranian authorities.
