Australia banned the entry of Iranian tourists with valid visas for six months

Australia has banned the entry of Iranian tourists with valid visas for six months, said Home Affairs Minister Anthony Burke. The reason for this decision is the fear that these people may not be able to return to the country after their visa expires, he added.

“Permanent residence arrangements in Australia should be considered decisions by the government, not an accidental consequence of when someone books their holiday,” Burke added.

The entry ban will affect approximately 6.8 thousand people. Iranians who have an Australian visa.

Some parliamentarians and refugee rights advocates called the authorities' decision a “moral disaster” and warned that it could become a “dangerous precedent.”

– At a time when people need security the most and their country is being massacred, the government of (Prime Minister Anthony) Albanese is closing the door in the faces of people from Iran – said Jana Favero, deputy director of the Asylum Center.

Independent MP Zali Steggall said that “cancelling lawfully obtained visas undermines confidence” in Australia's entire migration system.

The US and Israel have been conducting airstrikes on Iran since February 28, which in response attacks Israel and the Persian Gulf countries, attacking American bases and civilian facilities located there. (PAP)

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