Wong says Israel has right to self-defence, but urges restraint as Iran pounded

Israel has the right to defend itself, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says, but she has dodged questions over whether its surprise bombardment of Iran is a breach of international law.

Seeking to hamper Iran's attempts to develop military-grade nuclear capability, Israel struck military facilities, nuclear scientists, a major gas facility that exports internationally and other targets in a two-day barrage that Iran says has killed 78 people.

Iran retaliated with missile launches of its own that killed at least three people in Israel, with the US helping to shoot down a number of incoming missiles.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Iran to expect worse to come.

Iran-Israel conflict live updates: Get the latest as Netanyahu says Tehran is 'burning' It has prompted fears of all-out war in the region, and forced Iran to cancel discussions due to be held with the US on its nuclear program.

The foreign minister told ABC Insiders she had spoken with Iran's foreign minister and the Israeli government through its ambassador, urging both to show restraint.

"We urge restraint because whatever people's views about what has occurred to date, what happens tomorrow matters to all peoples in the region," Senator Wong said.

"I directly put to the Iranian foreign minister: 'We are saying to you, exercise restraint, return to diplomacy and dialogue,' because continuing to escalate this has consequences for all peoples of the region and I think that is a position that so many countries in the world are putting to not only the Iranians, but also to the Israelis."

Pushed on whether Israel's attack was legal, the senator said that was not the key concern at hand.

"Israel has a right to self-defence. The question here is not a legal proposition, the question here is what do we do now? We know Iran is a threat. We know that its nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and obviously to Israel," she said.

"What do we do about it?"

Senator Wong warned the situation was "perilous" and "very risky", and expressed her thoughts for Australians and their families in Israel and Iran.

A 24-hour consular emergency service has been stood up within the Foreign Affairs Department.

The foreign minister said advice was to shelter in place, noting that airspace above the countries was currently closed.

"Obviously that informs the advice we are giving," she said.

The minister also noted the cancellation of separate talks that were due to be held on progressing a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian Territories, that would see Palestine recognised as a sovereign nation.

"We're so far from that right now," she said,

"There is a lot more work to be done in the time ahead."