Australia has closed its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv as well ​as its consulate in Dubai, the ‌foreign minister said on Wednesday, amid fears the conflict in the Middle East could intensify.

Foreign Minister Penny ​Wong said at least nine cities where ​Australian embassies and consulates are located have ⁠experienced missile and drone attacks.

“Iran’s reprisal attacks ​continue at scale and at a depth that ​we have not seen before,” she told parliament.

The conflict was “likely to intensify and continue in the near term”, ​she said.

“Our missions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai ​and Tel Aviv have all had to physically close ‌in ⁠the last week.”

Australia has also directed dependants of diplomatic officials in the United Arab Emirates and Israel to leave.

“The dangerous and destabilising attacks ​by Iran ​put civilian ⁠lives at risk, including Australian lives, and we continue to support ​Australians affected as limited commercial flights resume, ​and ⁠we expand consular efforts,” Wong said.

More than 3,200 Australians have returned from the Middle East ⁠on ​23 commercial flights. About 115,000 ​citizens were in the region when the conflict began.