On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, marking the beginning of a new war. While Australia is not formally engaged in the conflict, it is providing support and aid to neighbouring countries. Officially, Australia is not a participant, but the situation has stirred deep emotions among those who have served in past conflicts.
Veterans and the Iran War
Peter Tinley AM, who served 25 years in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including 17 years with the Special Air Service Regiment, is the national president of RSL Australia. He speaks on behalf of more than 150,000 members and the broader community of 580,000 Australians who have served. On March 3, 2026, less than a week after the start of the Iran war, he issued a statement titled "Here We Go Again - And This Time, You Don't Walk Alone," published on the RSL Australia website.
"I'm watching the news from the Middle East. Here we go again. If that sounds weary, it's because it is. But it isn't cynicism. It's recognition," Tinley said. He described how familiar patterns unfold: strikes lead to responses, responses lead to decisions, and decisions lead to deployments. For troops, the distance between a map on a television screen and 'wheels up' is minimal.
Tinley noted that more than 26,000 Australians served in the Middle East over two decades of conflict. For many families and loved ones, the news cycle becomes deeply personal. "You think of those still serving, in my case, my own son, currently in uniform. And you feel the subtle shift in the air," he said.
Support Resources Available
Tinley emphasised that while we cannot control global events, we can determine how we respond to one another. "This time, no one needs to walk alone," he urged. For immediate support, the Veterans' and Families Counselling Service, Open Arms, is available 24/7 at 1800 011 046. Lifeline is also available at 13 11 14.
Regardless of where a conflict occurs, it is crucial to check in on our veterans. The RSL Australia continues to advocate for the well-being of those who have served, reminding the community that support is always within reach.
