Sunrise host Nat Barr has confronted Foreign Minister Penny Wong over US President Donald Trump’s failure to honour a planned meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Albanese is yet to meet face-to-face with the controversial president, even after Australia was hit with trade tariffs and amid an escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Albanese and Trump were scheduled to meet at the G7 summit but that was cancelled when Trump made an abrupt exit.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Trump has already met with key Australian allies, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Albanese is now flagging a possible meeting with Trump at the NATO Summit in The Netherlands.

Wong was combative over the line of questioning on Sunrise on Thursday.

“Our prime minister is now eyeing off a trip to The Netherlands next week with hopes he might be able to line up a second date with President Trump. That’s after the president stood him up in Canada. Is the PM going to chase him around the world?” Barr asked.

Wong replied: “The president left the G7 because of the war in the Middle East ... now, I know we all want to think it’s about us, but he left the G7 because of the war in the Middle East.

“He was unable, as a consequence, to have a bilateral meeting with the prime minister.

“So just to put the facts on the table.”

Wong explained Albanese had indicated he might attend The Netherlands conference, concerning the NATO alliance, before he left the G7. The minister added the world is an “unstable place” and it is important to assure peace, stability, and security.

However, Barr pressed her on the lack of a meeting between the leaders of Australia and the US, saying Trump was elected last November — before the current Middle East crisis.

Barr: “There were calls for our prime minister to go and meet him much earlier than this.”

Wong: “The prime minister has had three very constructive calls with the president.”

Barr: “But no meeting?”

Wong: “As you know, a meeting was scheduled but wasn’t able to happen because of the Middle East conflict.”

Barr: “But there were months before that?”

Wong: “Nat, I’m sure that a meeting will be arranged ... but I think the perspective, we need to remember, is what is happening in the world right now.”

Iran needs to come to the table

Amid the escalating Middle East crisis, Wong has backed calls for Iran to come to the negotiating table.

On Wednesday night, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared the “battle begins” — indicating a further escalation between Israel and Iran, which has the possibility of absorbing the entire region.

“The world does certainly face a dangerous moment. But our message to Iran, along with so many countries of the world, is it’s time to stop any nuclear program and it’s time to come to the table,” Wong said.

“We see what is occurring on the ground. We see the risk to civilians in the region.

“It’s time for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy and Iran must return to the table and it must stop any production of nuclear weapons.”

Australia’s role in the conflict

Wong appeared to distance Australia from any kind of conflict in the Middle East, when asked about a possible role for our military.

“We’re not a central player in the Middle East,” Wong said.

“Obviously, we’re a long way from this conflict but it does affect regional stability and global stability.”

Wong said she felt sorry for the many Australians who have family caught up in the conflict.

“I really feel for the many Australians who have family in Israel and Iran and the region more broadly and as well, of course, we are focused on those Australians who are in Israel and Iran and who have registered with us seeking consular assistance,” she said.

Possible increase in terrorism

Barr asked about the possible increase in terrorist attacks if the US was to bomb Iran.

“The world faces a dangerous moment,” Wong said.

“We know that conflict in the Middle East historically has led to instability, to security risks beyond the region. We know that.

“But our focus now is really two-fold. First, we agree with President Trump that nothing is too late.

“Iran has a choice here. And the choice should be to return to the table and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.

“We see the situation there and as tough as their words might be, I think we all know the situation that they face and it’s time for them to return to the table.”

Aussies travelling to Europe

Barr asked about Australians travelling to Europe, as peak summer approaches on the continent.

Europe remains an incredibly popular destination for Aussies.

“We take our travel advice responsibilities really seriously. I would really encourage you to read very carefully the travel advice that is provided by the government.,” Wong said.

“We think very carefully. We take security advice. You might recall we said in relation to Israel prior to this conflict, reconsider your need to travel.

“At the moment, certainly the region, Iran and Israel and other countries are do not travel.

“What I would say in relation to broader travel is we will continue to consider the evolving situation in terms of our travel advice to all relevant countries.”