Australia confirms 3 AUKUS personnel were on USS Houston during Iris Dena sinking

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Friday that three Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were aboard the US submarine USS Houston at the time it engaged and sank the Iranian Moudge-class frigate IRIN Iris Dena in the Indian Ocean on March 4. Albanese said the personnel were present 'as part of an AUKUS training program' and that 'no Australian personnel have participated in any offensive action against Iran.' The confirmation of AUKUS crew on USS Houston during an active combat engagement draws Australia into the conflict's diplomatic orbit and raises questions about AUKUS partners' legal exposure. Opposition leader Peter Dutton demanded a full Senate briefing. The UK, the third AUKUS partner, has separately deployed Typhoon jets and Wildcat helicopters to Qatar and Cyprus.