Working Together for Peace and Stability in the Middle East
Ministers repeated their calls for de-escalation and a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East, supported the ceasefire between Iran and the US, and welcomed ongoing mediation efforts. Ministers reaffirmed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. They stressed that lasting security and stability is a priority.
Ministers condemned ongoing attacks by Iran on regional countries. They called on Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz must be permanently reopened, and that navigational rights and freedoms are fundamental principles of international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ministers highlighted the UK and Australia’s role in providing defensive support to partners to protect civilians in the Middle East during the crisis. Ministers welcomed Australia’s support to the collective self-defence of regional partners through the deployment of its world-leading E-7A Wedgetail to the region and gifting of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, and the UK’s conduct of Defensive Counter Air (DCA) operations across the region, contributing to wider regional security and supporting air defence capabilities.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated diplomatic, economic and military efforts to support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and their support for an independent and strictly defensive Multinational Military Mission (MMM), led by the UK and France. Ministers welcomed Australia’s intention to contribute its E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to the MMM once established and the UK’s commitment of a wide range of military capability including advanced autonomous mine hunting equipment, Typhoon jets to conduct air patrols, uncrewed surface vessels to sense, track and identify potential threats, and HMS Dragon, equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper air defence system.
Ministers underscored their concern over the impact the Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having on the global economy and trade flows in energy, resources and other downstream commodities. They reaffirmed both countries’ shared commitment to open markets and rules-based trade for energy resources and liquid fuels. They underlined the importance of cooperation among international partners, including through the International Energy Agency, to support and maintain international energy markets. They recognised that the impact of the energy shock was greatest in vulnerable countries, including in the Pacific, and affirmed the need for measures to support these countries’ economic stability and energy security.
Ministers agreed that the world must not lose sight of the situation in Gaza and reaffirmed their support for the Gaza Peace Plan, urging all parties to implement the plan in full. Ministers reiterated their call for sustained and unimpeded aid into Gaza to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation that persists there. They expressed their deep concern at Israel’s registration law, which could severely limit INGOs’ capacity to respond to provide essential services to Palestinians, and called on Israel not to implement it in its current form.
Ministers reiterated their condemnation of Hamas for its atrocities on 7 October, including sexual violence, and ongoing acts of terror, reaffirming that Hamas must disarm and fully relinquish governance of Gaza.
Ministers stressed their commitment to sustainable peace and security for both countries, Israel and Palestine. Since the last meeting in July 2025, both the UK and Australia have formally recognised the State of Palestine, to preserve the viability of the two-state solution.
Ministers affirmed their commitment to peacebuilding efforts. Ministers recognised that there is an even greater need to invest in the conditions that can make future peace possible.
Ministers expressed grave concern about the situation in the West Bank. They called on Israel to cease its ongoing expansion of illegal settlements and expressed their strong opposition to plans to advance settlement activity in the E1 area. They reiterated their condemnation of settler violence and called on Israel to hold perpetrators to account.
Ministers reiterated their opposition to Israel’s escalation of the conflict in Lebanon which has cost civilian lives, including women and children, exacerbated the humanitarian situation and contributed to widespread displacement. They reaffirmed their condemnation of Hizballah for its ongoing strikes on Israel and for dragging Lebanon into conflict. They agreed that Hizballah must be disarmed in line with previous agreements. Ministers repeated their call on all parties to abide by the ceasefire, for international humanitarian law to be respected and for civilians, including aid workers, to be protected. Ministers expressed their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the Lebanese government’s efforts to restore its authority and deliver stability.
Supporting Ukraine against Russian Aggression
Ministers unequivocally condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and called on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war. They reiterated their commitment to making sure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself in the long term and agreed to step up pressure against Russia’s war machine. They acknowledged the effectiveness of ongoing international actions to pressure Russia’s economy and agreed to coordinate efforts to build on this. Ministers also agreed to continue to hold Russia to account for its forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children and called on Russia to immediately return them.
Ministers agreed on the imperative of stepping up efforts to support Ukraine’s three priorities: drones, air defence and extended range 155mm ammunition, as agreed in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Ministers noted joint defence initiatives with Australia and the UK’s partners are providing Ukraine with the cutting-edge weapons systems it needs to degrade Russia’s war effort. The UK and Australia will continue to support Ukraine and its priorities, including through the UK-led initiatives, such as the Drone Capability Coalition.
Ministers reiterated their deep concerns about the role of third countries in supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and the implications for Indo-Pacific security. They expressed their concern about the role of China’s economic support in allowing Russia’s illegal war to continue. They called on China to prevent its companies from supplying dual-use components that sustain Russia’s defence industrial base. Ministers urged China to cease support to Russia’s war effort and, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, with a particular responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to use its substantial influence with Moscow to help bring an end to the war.
Ministers agreed that deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK has significant implications for Euro Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. They expressed deep concerns about Russia’s political support for the DPRK’s unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and any military or economic support Russia may be providing to these programs. They recognised that the application of battlefield lessons learned from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine exacerbates the threat the DPRK poses to Indo-Pacific stability. The Ministers underscored the need for the DPRK’s full compliance with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Countering Hybrid Threats from Hostile Actors
Ministers expressed shared concern over the persistent and evolving threat of malicious hybrid activity, including by states and their proxies– including cyber attacks, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and other types of foreign interference – which seek to undermine our national security, democratic institutions and processes, and the resilience of our societies and economies.
Ministers committed to leveraging the full range of tools to deter and respond to malign activity, including coordinated attribution and sanctions where appropriate. They agreed that such measures are essential to exposing hostile behaviour, raising the costs to malign actors, and holding those responsible to account.
Ministers noted the increasing scale and severity of hostile activity by states, their proxies and non-state actors. This includes cyber activities undertaken by China-based information security companies, and recent attempts by Russia to interfere in democratic elections through its proxy organisations, the Social Design Agency and ANO Dialog.
Ministers agreed to deepen UK–Australia cooperation to counter the spectrum of hybrid threats, including enhanced information and analytical exchanges, coordinated responses, and efforts to strengthen resilience across our institutions and information environments.
Ministers further committed to expand joint work to counter FIMI, including through complementary policy approaches and responses, and supporting other partners to build their resilience to information manipulation. They agreed to work together in multilateral fora to promote resilient, open, and fact-based information environments, and deny adversaries the opportunities to cause harm.
A Shared Commitment to the Indo-Pacific
Ministers agreed that the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are interconnected and are critical to our shared security, resilience, and prosperity. They reaffirmed the importance of the UK and Australia’s enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific, bilaterally and with partners, to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and a favourable strategic balance.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to internationally agreed rules and norms and respect for sovereignty. In recognition of the geostrategic environment, Ministers emphasised the need for all countries to manage strategic competition responsibly, and the importance of dialogue and practical measures to reduce the risks of miscalculation, escalation and conflict.
Ministers reiterated their strong opposition to activities that raise tensions and risk miscalculation and escalation in the South China Sea. Ministers reaffirmed their opposition to actions that undermine regional peace and stability, including military activities on disputed features, dangerous manoeuvres and the unsafe use of military assets, coast guard and maritime militia. Ministers agreed to continue cooperating to uphold navigational rights and freedoms in the region, including through participation in joint activities. They also reiterated their concern about the situation in the East China Sea and about instances of unsafe and unprofessional behaviour, including in the Yellow Sea. Ministers agreed that Hizballah must be disarmed in line with previous agreements. Ministers repeated their call on all parties to abide by the ceasefire, for international humanitarian law to be respected and for civilians, including aid workers, to be protected. Ministers expressed their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the Lebanese government’s efforts to restore its authority and deliver stability.