Australia bans visitors from Iran amid war in the Middle East

Home Affairs Department said decision to ban Iranian visitors amid the war on Iran was in Australia’s ‘national interest’.Australia has temporarily banned visitors from Iran, claiming that the United States-Israeli war on the country has increased the risk that Iranian passport holders could refuse or be unable to fly home once their short-term visitor visas expire.Australia’s Department of Home Affairs said on Wednesday that the restrictions on Iranian visitors would be for a period of six months, describing the move as in the “national interest amid rapidly changing global conditions”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Tehran issues warning to regional neighbour if Iranian island occupiedlist 2 of 4UN adopts slavery resolution despite resistancelist 3 of 4Iranian foreign minister rejects talks with USlist 4 of 4Trump to visit Xi Jinping in China on May 14 and 15 after Iran war delayend of list“The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire,” the Home Affairs Department said in a statement.“This measure gives the Government time to assess the situation properly, while still allowing flexibility in limited cases,” it said.The ban applies to Iranian citizens who are currently outside Australia – even if they have an Australian visitor visa for tourism or work.Exceptions to the ban include Iranian citizens already in Australia, those currently in transit to Australia, spouses, de facto partners, or dependent children of Australian citizens, and those with permanent visas.Exemptions will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as for the parents of Australian citizens, the department said.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said decisions on who can remain permanently in Australia should be made by the government and should not be the “random consequence of who booked a holiday”.“There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran that may not have been issued if they were applied for now,” he said.