Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned that it is “extremely difficult” to help Australians safely leave Israel or Iran at the moment, as the number of people seeking assistance climbs.

“I can tell you that we have about 1500 Australians in Iran who have registered with us, seeking assistance in leaving,” Wong told Today.

“We have about 1200 in Israel (who) are seeking assistance to leave. Obviously, those numbers, I anticipate, will continue to climb.”

Wong said the government had helped a “small group” cross out of Iran over the land border in the past 24 hours.

“We hope to have more, more able to be moved today,” she said.”

Obviously that does depend on the security situation on the ground.”

But with airspace in the region closed, she warned, Australia’s reach was limited.

She urged people to leave if they safely could, and if not, to shelter in place.