Iran news and live updates: Israeli troops enter Lebanon as drone strikes hit two US embassies
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Key Events
What you need to know about the Iran conflict today
- The Australian Government is considering contingencies on how to bring home tens of thousands of citizens stranded in the Middle East as the US-Israel war on Iran widens, Defence Minister Richard Marles said, describing the situation as a “very significant consular challenge”.
- US President Donald Trump has delivered his first public address since the conflict erupted, saying the US and Israel could not wait any longer before striking Iran. The attack on Iran was “our last, best chance to strike” and to eliminate the “intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime”, Mr Trump said.
- The US embassy in Riyadh was reportedly struck by two suspected Iranian drones, sparking a fire and prompting an urgent “shelter in place immediately” warning for American citizens in Saudi Arabia. No injuries have been reported.
- A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard official has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, vowing Iran would fire on any vessel attempting to pass through it, according to Iranian state media.
- Three US fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences, though all six crew members ejected safely. US Central Command confirmed the American death toll has risen to six after recovering the remains of two previously unaccounted-for personnel.
- Iran has intensified its attacks across the region, launching strikes on Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry says more than 70 missile and drone strikes have hit the city of Erbil since Saturday.
- Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery, Ras Tanura, was shut down after shrapnel from an intercepted Iranian drone ignited a major fire at the facility.
- Iran’s Red Crescent says the national death toll has now surpassed 550 as US and Israeli forces focus their operations on Tehran.
- The US has ordered mandatory evacuations of diplomatic personnel from Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait.
- US President Donald Trump has claimed his country has an “unlimited supply” of weapons to use against Iran and that “wars can be fought forever”.
- Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu says the war may take “some time”, and denied Israel had “dragged” the US into a war with Iran.
- Israel is conducting strikes on the capital cities of Iran and Lebanon, Tehran and Beirut.
- A mass funeral has been held for the 165 people reportedly killed in Iran’s south on Saturday morning.
Defence prepares for evacuation flights
The Defence Force has begun preparing for possible evacuation flights from the Middle East, but the Government is stressing that commercial travel is still the best way for Australians stranded by the Iran conflict to return home.
The Nightly understands Brisbane-based military personnel have again been placed on alert for potential overseas deployments as part of any future government repatriation efforts.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stressed to Australians trying to leave the Middle East region to focus on getting a commercial ticket first because it would be quicker than waiting for possible military evacuations.
“It is likely, in terms of volume, to be quicker, getting Australians home, if we can get commercial flights, if the airspace becomes available but we are working on a range of contingencies,” Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra.
Aussies stranded in Dubai could face huge fines, jail
Australians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been warned that posting unverified conflict footage could lead to $77,000 in fines and even imprisonment, as the region continues to face a barrage of missiles coming from Iran.
The UAE Public Prosecution released a statement warning anyone who post or repost footage from “unknown sources” will face legal accountability including Dh200,000 ($A77,700) fine and imprisonment of not less than one year.
“Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime,” the UAE Public Prosecution shared in a statement on X on March 2.
“The Public Prosecution warns against publishing or circulating rumours and information from unknown sources through social media platforms.”
This warning follows a shocking clip posted to social media of guests at a restaurant frantically running for cover and fleeing in terror after hearing a loud explosion.
PM engages UAE President on evacuation flights
The Nightly understands Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with the President of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday evening about the Middle East war.
Mr Albanese had a phone call with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the volatile situation, as Australians remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
They discussed the importance of resuming commercial flights, and Mr Albanese emphasised calls for Iran to cease its attacks on the UAE and other countries in the region.
The PM also thanked the UAE leader for the country’s hospitality toward stranded Australians.
In a seperate discussion, Mr Albanese spoke with his New Zealand counterpart Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about the importance of resuming flights.
UK to continue its ‘defensive’ action
Thought the British armed forces were not involved in the intial US-Israeli strikes against Iran, UK authorities say the country will remain involved in the conflict in a strictly “defensive” capacity.
Darren Jones, the chief secretary of Keir Starmer, says the UK’s involvement is a result of British citizens being “at risk”.
“We were not involved in the initial American and Israeli strikes in Iran, but now that British citizens are at risk... it is right that we do everything we can to reduce that risk and to defend British citizens,” he told the BBC.
This comes after Mr Starmer accepted the US’ request to use British bases in an effort to stop Iranian missiles.
In UK parliament yesterday, Mr Starmer stressed that the allowance did not amount to the UK joining the offensive.
‘Not been helpful’: Trump blasts Starmer
US President Donald Trump has blasted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his role in the strikes against Iran and flagged a downturn in their relationship.
Mr Trump declared the UK leader “has not been helpful” and has taken too long to take a stance on the Middle East conflict.
“I never thought I’d see that. I never thought I’d see that from the UK,” he told UK publication The Sun.
Israel vows troops will ‘seize’ areas of Lebanon
Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz says the IDF has been authorised to “advance and seize” additional strategic areas in Lebanon.
Alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Katz says the move has been allowed in order to “prevent fire on Israeli border communities”.
“The IDF continues to operate forcefully against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The terrorist organisation is paying - and will continue to pay - a heavy price for its fire toward Israel,” Mr Katz said in a statement, translated from Hebrew to English by the BBC.
WATCH: Explosions as Iranian missile hits Israel
Footage verified by the ABC shows an Iranian missile hitting the southern Israeli town of Be’er Sheva.
15 people were reported to have “minor” injuries according to the Israeli rescue service.
Islamic group could lose funding over mourning Ayatollah
The Federal Government is reviewing a $670,000 election pledge to an Islamic community group in Melbourne after it held a gathering to mourn Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As the Government grapples with how to help tens of thousands of Australians caught up in the Middle East war zone and the economic fallout, it came under fire during Question Time from an Opposition again focused on the ISIS brides and the support given to the community group.
The Dandenong-based Taha Association was promised $670,000 by local Labor MP Julian Hill to upgrade its facilities and fund faith activities, Arabic language education and mental health supports. The money is yet to be handed over.
Israel ‘not likely’ to deploy troops to Iran
Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani has told reporters it is “not very likely” Israel will engage in a boots-on-the-ground operation in Iran.
Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, IDF says
The Israeli Defence Force says its military has soldiers “operating in southern Lebanon” as part of its offensive against Hezbollah.
IDF spokesperson Avichar Adraee says Israeli troops are positioned on the Lebanon-Israel broder in a “forward defense” posture to “additional security” for residents in northern Israel.
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