Several hundred Australians have registered interest in leaving Israel and Iran amid escalating hostilities between the two countries, but have been advised to shelter where they are while airspace remains closed. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said 300 Australians had advised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of their desire to leave Israel, and 350 Australians had done so for Iran, with more registrations expected. Senator Wong said that while no flights are possible yet given the risk of missile strikes on civilian aircraft, the government was working on "a range of plans" to help people leave when safe. "I understand how concerned, how distressed many Australians are about what is occurring. I understand how particularly those who are in the Middle East, in Israel or Iran, how worrying this situation is, and how frightening it is," she told reporters on Monday. At least 224 people have been killed in Iran and 13 in Israel after several days of strikes. The episode began on Friday, local time, with an Israeli strike on Iran which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was an attempt to destroy nuclear facilities behind what he said would be an "existential threat to Israel". It came shortly after the UN nuclear watchdog concluded Iran was in violation of its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty, and shortly before planned talks with the United States. Wong repeats calls for de-escalation Senator Wong repeated calls for "de-escalation", a view she said she had conveyed to her counterparts in both countries and was shared by the UK, Canada and France, and was "consistent with what President Trump has said". "No-one doubts the threat Iran poses, we have long been speaking about this as an international community," she said. "But what I would say is we don't want to see an escalation which leads to … dire consequences for the people of the region." Australian citizens, permanent residents and family members with entry rights are eligible to register their interest in an assisted departure with DFAT and are encouraged to do so on the official Smartraveller website. That website also provides up-to-date official guidance for those who are in Israel or Iran. The government currently advises people to listen to local authorities, who are telling residents to shelter in place. It also advises those outside Israel and Iran to not travel there. "Obviously that is a very difficult thing to say to people but that is the advice that we have," she said. Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed calls for de-escalation. "I have expressed before our concern about Iran gaining the capacity of nuclear weapons as something that is a threat to security in the region. But we, along with other like-minded countries, do want to see that priority on dialogue and diplomacy," he told reporters in Canada, where he is attending a G7 summit.