Government denies SAS deployment to Middle East reported by News Corp

The Albanese government has denied unverified reports that Australia deployed approximately 90 Special Air Service Regiment troops to the Middle East two weeks ago, but Defence Minister Richard Marles refused to confirm or deny special forces movements, citing operational security.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen called the reported deployment 'untrue' during Thursday interviews. Marles told reporters in Melbourne a different story: 'This is a standard government position. The Australian government never makes comments on the operations of special forces, but let me be really clear to the Australian people, Australia does not have boots on the ground in Iran. This is not a conflict in which Australia is involved.'

The News Corp report claimed the SAS troops were on standby for potential escalation of the US-Israel war on Iran, though sources said they would not be involved in offensive operations. The Defence Department declined to confirm troop locations when contacted.

Precedent: denied before Iraq, confirmed later

Australia has form on this exact deflection. Before the 2003 Iraq invasion, the Howard government denied having SASR deployed in Iraq while special forces were already operating in-country conducting reconnaissance and preparing for combat operations.

Cabinet papers released in 2025 revealed the Howard government avoided disclosing early deployments to the Middle East, sending military forces months before officially authorising Australia's involvement. The government maintained the units 'were admittedly not to engage in any military action against Iraq unless the government expressly authorised it.' That technical truth concealed operational reality.

One Reddit user on r/AustralianPolitics drew the parallel: 'Same as Australia denied having SASR in Iraq well before declaration of the illegal war.' The comment reflects public scepticism about official denials when operational security is invoked.

Wong leads 40-nation coalition on Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Minister Penny Wong participated in a call with 40 other nations this week to discuss 'every possible measure' to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

Wong said Australia wanted coordinated diplomatic efforts to reopen the strait. 'Iran's de facto closure of the strait, coupled with its attacks on commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, is causing unprecedented energy supply shocks and impacting oil and fuel prices,' she said in a statement.

Australia has faced soaring petrol prices and mounting fuel shortage concerns. More than 700 service stations across the country are currently out of fuel. The Albanese government is reportedly in talks with fuel companies about temporarily lowering fuel standards to allow more imports.

Wong accused Iran of 'deliberately inflicting economic pain' but confirmed no offensive military action would be taken to lift Iran's blockade, despite US President Donald Trump telling allies to 'just take the strait back.'

Contradictory messaging from ministers

The government's messaging split is instructive. Bowen, speaking as Energy Minister, flatly denied the deployment. Marles, as Defence Minister, invoked the standard 'no comment on special forces operations' line, which is policy-correct but functionally uninformative.

If no deployment occurred, Marles could have said so. Instead, he pivoted to reassure Australians that Australia does not have boots on the ground in Iran. That statement doesn't address whether Australian forces are deployed elsewhere in the region: UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia, for instance.

Australian SAS have been in the Middle East continuously since 2001. The question is what they're doing and who's giving the orders.

— Former ADF officer (anonymous), speaking to SBS News

Australia maintains a logistics and operational hub at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, located approximately 40 kilometres from Dubai. The facility was struck by an Iranian drone during the first night of the conflict, though Marles confirmed all Australian personnel were safe.

Public reaction: scepticism and historical memory

Social media reactions ranged from resigned cynicism to demands for transparency. On Reddit's r/AustralianPolitics, one commenter wrote: 'PM @AlboMP needs to be up front with the Australian public. Have Australian soldiers been deployed to the Middle East. If so, why?'

Another user said: 'The Albanese Labor Government has sent SAS troops into the Middle East while this awful and illegal US and Israeli War on Iran expands.'

The Canberra Times reported the government 'won't confirm or deny' the deployment but emphasised the ADF is not involved in offensive action. That framing leaves considerable room for non-combat intelligence, logistics, and training missions.

Marles has repeatedly said Australia's role in the region is defensive, focused on protecting Australians and supporting Gulf state partners under attack from Iranian strikes. He has not addressed whether Australian forces are embedded with US or coalition units conducting broader operations.

What the government has confirmed, and what remains unanswered

Australia has deployed at least six crisis response teams to the region. Australian military aircraft have been sent to assist with evacuations. Australian forces operate out of Al Minhad, a facility directly targeted by Iran.

Whether 90 SAS troops are currently in the Middle East on standby for escalation is unconfirmed by the government. Bowen denies the deployment. Marles declines to comment on special forces operations. Wong is coordinating with 40 nations on how to reopen a strait blockaded by a country Australia officially condemns but hasn't engaged militarily.

Cabinet papers from 2003 show Australia deployed forces quietly before public authorisation, then confirmed involvement only after combat operations began. Whether that pattern is repeating now remains a question the government has declined to answer directly.