Canberra, March 05 (QNA) - The Australian government today announced the deployment of military units as part of emergency plans to assist Australians stranded in the Middle East.

The government said in a statement that as the conflict caused by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the region widens, it has prepared contingency plans to help tens of thousands of Australian citizens and permanent residents.

In the same vein, the Australian Department of Defence launched a consular support operation, deploying an Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster heavy transport aircraft and a KC-30A multi-mission refueling aircraft as a precautionary measure. The government said that it would not disclose further details, including the aircraft's destination, for security reasons. (QNA)