Sri Lanka, March 25 -- Australia will temporarily stop Iranians from entering the country on tourist visas, the country's Home Affairs minister announced Wednesday, saying temporary visitors from Iran may be "unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire."

The block will come into force Thursday and run for six months.

Some Iranians will still be able to travel to Australia, including those on longer-term visas or those with children or spouses in the country.

"The government is acting in the national interest amid rapidly changing global conditions," Burke said.

Some 7,000 Iranians hold visitor visas to come to Australia, according to Burke.

Earlier this month Australia granted political asylum to seven members of t...