SYDNEY, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia banned visitors from Iran on Thursday, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired. For the next six months people travelling on Iranian passports will be barred from visiting Australia for tourism or work, the Home Affairs department said. "The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire," it said in a statement. Australia angered Iran this month when it granted asylum to seven players and officials from the visiting women's football team. Five of those seven later reversed their decisions to seek sanctuary in Australia, fuelling suspicions their families had come under threat.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 26, 2026 04:42 UTC