US-Iran war updates: Australian petrol stations run dry, ‘largest bridge’ cut in half
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Horror Easter fuel update: Mass outages as Aussies hit the road
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has issued a grim update on Australian fuel supplies after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Aussies to get on the road and enjoy the Easter long weekend.
On Good Friday, Mr Bowen confirmed the following numbers.
NSW: 182 petrol stations without diesel, 48 stations completely “out of stock”.
VIC: 76 stations with no diesel and 37 out of unleaded.
QLD: 75 stations without diesel, 24 with no unleaded
WA: 37 with no diesel, 58 with no unleaded
SA: 28 stations with no diesel, 15 without unleaded
TAS: 14 stations without diesel or petrol
NT: Five stations with no diesel and four without any unleaded
Sharing the numbers, Mr Bowen again told Australians not to “panic buy”.
Macron rejects military solution to Hormuz crisis
Latika M Bourke writes: European leaders have turned a page on their attempts to pacify and appease the volatile President in the White House.
As 40 countries and international organisations, including Australia, met online to discuss ways to try and stop Iran from holding “the global economy hostage,” a blunt Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump to get serious and that world politics was “not a show.”
The French President’s sharp critique followed Mr Trump’s personal attack on Mr Macron’s marriage and threat to withdraw from NATO.
But it is more than just a tit-for-tat. Mr Macron’s willingness to punch back signals the end of Europe’s attempts to appease the volatile US President.
Australian troops reportedly sent to Middle East
Reports have emerged claiming Australia has sent 90 SAS troops to the Middle East, strategically positioned in case the situation deteriorates further.
The Daily Telegraph reported the claim, suggesting the group of elite Special Air Services troops were deployed two weeks ago.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying troops on the ground in Iran.”
It is understood that the troops will not engage in conflict and may be positioned to evacuate diplomats if necessary.
US missing from crucial Strait of Hormuz talks
Dozens of countries are seeking ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said securing the waterway was for others to resolve.
UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Iran’s “recklessness” in blockading the Strait was “hitting our global economic security” as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included Australia, France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India.
“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Ms Cooper said in opening remarks broadcast to the media before the rest of the meeting took place behind closed doors.
The United States did not attend the talks, one official said.
Iran’s largest bridge destroyed, Trump warns more to come
US President Donald Trump has confirmed Iran’s largest bridge had been destroyed by a US-Israeli strike, warning Tehran it should make a deal before it’s too late.
“The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Much more to follow!
“IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!”
The bridge, in Karaj, north-west of Tehran, has been cut in half according to local media.
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