Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters on US bombing of Iran. Video / NZ Herald
The Government is yet to give its position on the United States’ strikes on Iran as it deploys a Defence Force plane to the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the Government was still assembling “the facts” of the US’ attack on several Iranian nuclear sites before statingNew Zealand’s view.
Labour Party defence spokesman Peeni Henare, who supports the Defence Force deployment, is calling on the Government to declare the US bombings are in breach of international law.
Trump said the objective was to put a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s “number one state sponsor of terror”, and accused Iran of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
He claimed there are “many targets left”, and if peace was not achieved the US would target them with “speed, precision and skill”.
Winston Peters and Judith Collins speak to media at Whenuapai Airbase. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Speaking from Auckland’s Whenuapai airbase alongside Defence Minister Judith Collins, Peters said the Government was still working through the details of the attack.
“The President of America made an announcement just after 2 o’clock this afternoon, New Zealand time,” Peters said.
“When we know what [the facts] are, we’ll give you our opinions.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who was currently in Belgium’s capital Brussels ahead of talks with the European Union, hadn’t yet released a statement about the attack.
Peters confirmed New Zealand had been given no warning about the attack. It has been reported Israel had been informed prior to the bombings.
Peters called for an end to the conflict, promoting “diplomacy and dialogue”.
“Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying and it is critical further escalation is avoided. We urge all parties to return to talks.
“Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”
He stated Iran’s nuclear activities had “long worried New Zealand” and said Iran should comply with its international obligations.
In a statement, Henare condemned all attacks undertaken in the Middle East conflict, including the US bombings.
“The New Zealand Labour Party does not support the ongoing attacks, including the United States bombing of Iran, which is in breach of international law, and the Government should be saying this.”
He endorsed Peters in calling for an “immediate end to hostilities and a return to talks”.
Peters and Collins also announced a C-130J Hercules plane containing Defence Force and foreign affairs personnel would take off from Whenuapai tomorrow and would be based in the Middle East.
The pair’s statement didn’t clarify where the Hercules would be based, nor the range of personnel travelling. It was expected to take several days to reach its destination.
The deployment was intended to aid evacuation flights should the airspace around Iran and Israel become less restricted, which could take “weeks” according to Peters.
He noted discussions with commercial airlines were ongoing but repeated his advice that Kiwis should leave the region if they could do so safely.
“We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies,” Peters said.
“If you are in this situation, you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible.”
The ministers called for dialogue and diplomacy to prevail. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
All New Zealanders in the Middle East, not just in Iran and Israel, were urged to register on SafeTravel.
New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency consular call centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
About 180 New Zealanders had registered as residing in either Israel or Iran, much higher than reported earlier this week. Peters said people were “coming out of the woodwork” amid ongoing attacks.
He was unable to say whether family members or people without residency could access any future evacuation flights.
Asked whether New Zealand would consider sending Defence Force personnel into conflict areas, Peters didn’t answer directly but stated New Zealand had “resources outside of the terror zone” in case people crossed the borders.
“But getting across the border is the problem,” he said.
Peters, a three-time Foreign Minister, reiterated his comments from earlier this week that the global tensions were at the highest he’s ever seen.
“This is the most serious that I’ve ever dealt with and it takes me [back] to the [Cuban] Missile Crisis, that’s the level of inflection we’re talking about potentially.”
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.
