Winston Peters: Foreign Minister outlines advice for New Zealanders in Iran and Israel

Winston Peters says the Government's providing the best possible advice to New Zealanders in Iran and Israel. 

This afternoon, the Foreign Affairs Minister called the escalation of tension in the Middle East the most 'uncertain' geopolitical circumstances he's ever seen. 

At last count, there are 50 Kiwis registered as being in Iran, and 80 in Israel. 

Peters says leaving could be challenging, given that airports are closed. 

"It's the evolving and possibly worsening situation that will make people's minds up - all we can do is give them the best advice possible, on an hourly basis sometimes." 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has warned Kiwis in Iran and
Israel that they should get out of the ark of
danger if they can. The conflict between the two countries
has been escalating their new bombings in both countries. Today
in Fat currently knows of forty six Kiwis in Iran
and seventy nine in Israel, and Winston Peters is with
us now high Winston, Hello, how are you? I'm well?
Thank you? Now? Is the airspace in both of these

(00:22):
countries still.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
Closed to the best my knowledge?

Speaker 1 (00:26):
Yes, So how do people get out?

Speaker 2 (00:29):
They got to drive?

Speaker 1 (00:32):
And where did they drive.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
To to the nearest It's a good question. Well, if
you were, you know, in Iran, you want to get
at iSER Bazan, that'll be eight hours driving. Yeah, but
then you'll need to be ensure that you can make
the distance. And these are all sort of considerations where

(00:54):
we are trying to help people if they're were seeking advice.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, And does it sound like these people actually plan
to leave?

Speaker 2 (01:02):
It depends. It's the evolving and possibly worsting situation that
will make people's minds up. All we can do is
given the best advice possible on an hourly basis sometimes.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Winston, how long do you think this is going to
go on for?

Speaker 2 (01:19):
Well, I hope not for too long. And really it's
Grete concerned because basically, in the end this country is
for peace, not war. I when aware, for diplomacy and
talking rather than fighting and all the misery that goes
with that.

Speaker 1 (01:35):
We had Elger Lisp beyond the show on Friday, he
reckons this is not World War three. It'll be contained regionally,
basically because Iran doesn't have any allies will come to
its assistance.

Speaker 2 (01:45):
What do you think, Well, because the Iran's past behavior
and the number of proxies they've got doing horrific things
in the Middle East, he could be right, but I'd
never may I meant about a certainty here into the
future without you know, being ultra cautious about things like that.

(02:07):
Our job is to try and bring about peace.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
And now do you think that Israel has done the
right thing?

Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, look, we're not excusing anyone because we say at
this point in time there are no innocent actors. At
a certain time. Your justification for your behavior, if it
is prolonged and out of all proportion to the original offense,
then that changes the script. But our job is to,
as I say, keep New Zealanders out of harms way

(02:39):
our post military conflict masculation that our post a nuclear run.
We oppose the people starving in the streets and dying
from military contract conflict. Brother, And we've designated certain people
as being terrorists because by reason of their behavior. We've
tried to be balanced about this.

Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, if we don't want a nuclear armed to run,
then you're going to have to blow up there nuclear
facilities or take out some of the key players, which
Israel has done. Therefore, Israel has done the right thing.

Speaker 2 (03:05):
No Ah, Look, we do not look at things that
way in terms of making an answer. The legality of
what a country is doing is based on the evidence
that they can provide, and that's yet to come.

Speaker 1 (03:17):
All right, Winston, thank you. Has always appreciate it. Winston
Peter's Foreign Minister. For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive,
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