Trump hints at 'regime change' as world awaits Iran's response to attack — as it happened

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2 months ago23 Jun 9:25pm

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

For the second day in a row, Iran has vowed to defend its people, territory, and sovereignty by "all means necessary"following the historic US strikes on three of its key nuclear facilities.
The country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a warning, declaring the US must "receive a response" to the attack and that it had waged a war under "an absurd pretext".
Iran's allies around the world also called for a "united front against aggression".
Further details about how the US bombings played out have come to light. It is now known that American stealth bombers struck their targets in a highly coordinated surprise raid in an operation code-named Midnight Hammer.
The Australian government backed the US attacks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying Iran "cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon". There is no expectation that Australian troops will become involved, with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying the US had not asked for help.
Members of US President Donald Trump's government have said America's strikes on Iran were not aimed at instigating a regime change, only at dismantling its nuclear capabilities; however, on social media, Trump indicated pushing for regime change was not out of the question.
The UN Security Council met to discuss the strikes on Iran, with Russia, China, and Pakistan proposing that the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.
In an emergency gathering on Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the US attack had likely caused "very significant" damage to the underground areas of the Fordow uranium enrichment plant.
Iran's foreign minister travelled to Russia to speak directly with President Vladimir Putin. Formal talks are set to take place overnight (AEST).
Throughout the day, both Iran and Israel continued to trade strikes, with a clear picture of the full extent of the fighting not yet known.

— Aleshia Orr

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2 months ago23 Jun 9:08pm

UN nuclear watchdog says US attack likely caused "significant damage" to Fordow

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — the United Nations nuclear watchdog — has said that the US bombing of Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment plant had likely caused significant damage to some of its underground facilities.

"Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred," the director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, told an emergency meeting on Monday.

However, Grossi also cautioned that no group, including the IAEA, is currently able to access the site to assess the extent of the damage.

— Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 8:16pm

China says the US decision to strike Iran damaged its credibility

China says Washington's credibility has been damaged as a result of its attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Following a meeting of the UN Security Council, China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged all parties to restrain the "impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire," according to the state broadcaster CCTV.

Fu added that all sides, especially Israel, "should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war."

Iran was hurt, "but the United States' credibility was also damaged, both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations," Fu said.

Chinese state media reports have continued to describe the US strike on Iran as "extremely dangerous and provocative".

2 months ago23 Jun 8:11pm

Russia reiterates criticism of US strikes as Putin prepares to meet Iran's FM

Russia has again condemned President Donald Trump's attack on Iran, saying the United States had increased the number of participants in the conflict and escalated tensions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia deeply regretted the US decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites, repeating earlier criticisms from the country.

He added that it remained unclear what had happened to Iran's nuclear facilities and whether there was a radiation hazard.

Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran in January, although it did not include a mutual defence clause.

Before the US strikes, Moscow had warned that American military intervention in Iran could destabilise the entire region and plunge it into the "abyss".

Peskov said President Trump had not told Russian President Vladimir Putin in detail about the planned strikes in advance, although they had discussed the possibility of US military involvement more generally.

Putin is due to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later today.

— Reuters

2 months ago23 Jun 7:35pm

Australians remain in Israel after evacuation flights postponed

Evacuation flights for Australian citizens hoping to leave Israel on Monday night (AEDT) will not go ahead.

SBS News has confirmed with the Australian government that missile activity has prevented such flights from departing.

- Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 7:23pm

Israel tells its citizens to come out of shelters

Israeli citizens have been told they no longer have to take shelter.

Sirens sounded in parts of Israel on Monday due to what were believed to be missiles headed toward the country.

The Israel Defense Forces had said they had been fired from Iran.

A social media post from the IDF has now told Israeli citizens that "after assessing the situation," it is "possible to leave the protected area".

- Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 6:54pm

Key meetings set to take place today

As the world waits to see how Iran might respond to the US attack on three of its key nuclear facilities, a range of high-level meetings are taking place in the coming hours.

Here's a brief overview of a few:

The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency — the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that has been monitoring Iran's program — will hold an emergency meeting.
European leaders are gathering in Brussels to discuss the latest escalation, despite President Trump's comments over the weekend dismissing their diplomatic efforts so far.
Iran's foreign minister is currently in Moscow talking to Russian officials about how both countries can "coordinate" a response to the latest wave of attacks.
A NATO summit will kick off in the Netherlands, where the growing conflict in the Middle East will likely be a key agenda item.

We'll do our best to bring you any newsworthy updates as they happen.

— Hannah Ritchie

2 months ago23 Jun 6:32pm

Iran's supreme leader asks Putin to "do more" after US strikes - Reuters

Iran has sent its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to Russia to personally deliver a letter to President Vladimir Putin from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asking for the Kremlin's help with the current conflict, the Reuters News agency is reporting.

The US decision to bomb three key nuclear facilities in Iran marked the biggest military action the Islamic Republic has faced since the 1979 revolution. In the days leading up to the strikes, President Donald Trump also mused about "taking out" Khamenei.

Sources told Reuters the supreme leader "has not been impressed with Russia's support so far" and that "the country wants Putin to do more to back it against Israel and the US".

Earlier, Russian state media reported that Iran and Russia were "coordinating" their positions on the crisis in the Middle East, citing Araghchi, who is currently in Moscow for talks.

The Kremlin has confirmed that Putin would receive Araghchi but did not say what would be discussed during the meeting, according to Reuters.

— Hannah Ritchie

2 months ago23 Jun 5:56pm

Multiple thuds heard across Jerusalem - Reuters

Reuters is reporting that a missile has been seen flying high over Jerusalem and multiple thuds have been heard across the city.

This follows the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) saying on X that missiles had been fired towards Israel from Iran.

In a follow-up tweet, the IDF urged Israelis to continue to "obey instructions" to take shelter as "additional missiles" had been launched towards Israel.

The post also asked people not to publish or share locations and documentation of casualties.

- Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 5:40pm

Israel says missiles launched towards it from Iran

Israelis have been told to seek shelter as the military warned that missiles had been launched towards Israel from Iran.

The Israel Defence Forces said via social media that the country's air force was "operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat".

— Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 5:23pm

Air travel experiencing diversions, delays, cancellations and added fuel costs

Commercial airlines around the world are weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as the conflict enters a new phase.

The airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Israel began strikes on Iran, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns.

New cancellations of some flights by international carriers in recent days to usually resilient aviation hubs like Dubai, and Qatar's Doha, show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated.

However, some international airlines, including Singapore Airlines, were resuming services on Monday.

With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights from Europe to Asia and Australia.

Amid missile and airstrikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the US attacks.

— AAP

2 months ago23 Jun 5:01pm

Iran's military warns of 'heavy consequences' for the US

A spokesperson for a top-level command centre of Iran's military has warned the United States it should "expect heavy consequences" for its airstrikes on three of the country's nuclear facilities.

Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari said in a video shared on Monday that recent hostile action by the US expanded the scope of legitimate targets for Iran's armed forces.

"Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Zolfaqari said in English at the end of his recorded statement.

Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters is responsible for planning and executing Iran's national defence operations.

— Reuters

2 months ago23 Jun 4:45pm

Israel says it has struck Iranian airports and destroyed aircraft

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has destroyed 15 aircraft and damaged multiple runways while carrying out attacks on six airports in Iran.

The IDF confirmed the airports targeted were in western, eastern, and central Iran in a post on social media.

"More than 15 Air Force fighter jets recently attacked, with precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Directorate, in the Kermanshah region of Iran, destroying several surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites targeted at Israeli territory," the statement said.

The post did not clarify when the attacks happened, and Iran has yet to publicly confirm them.

Earlier, the IDF said it was targeting military infrastructure in Kermanshah, a province that borders Iraq.

— Hannah Ritchie

2 months ago23 Jun 4:36pm

Iran and Russia 'coordinating' positions on the current escalation

Iran and Russia are coordinating their positions on the current escalation in the Middle East, Russian state media reported on Monday, citing Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, who is visiting Moscow for talks.

The Kremlin has a strategic partnership with Iran, but also close links with Israel.

Speaking in Istanbul on Sunday, Araghchi warned that his country would consider all possible responses and there would be no return to diplomacy until it had retaliated.

Russia's foreign ministry condemned the US attacks, which it said had undermined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and warned of conflict spreading in the Middle East.

— Reuters

2 months ago23 Jun 4:11pm

Australians are leaving Iran through a number of routes

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) staff who were evacuated from the Australian embassy in Tehran are now assisting Australian citizens and residents stranded in Iran.

They are among the Australian officials who have been providing consular assistance at the Iran-Azerbaijan border.

Australia's ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, was among those assisting Australians over the weekend.

People are standing outside with suitcases.

Support is being provided to Australians at the Iran-Azerbaijan border. Source: Supplied / DFAT

Two men and a woman are standing in a circle and talking. There are a few people standing behind them.

Australian officials have been providing consular assistance at the Iran-Azerbaijan border. Source: Supplied / DFAT

— Aleisha Orr

2 months ago23 Jun 3:56pm

Israel launches strikes on Iranian military infrastructure

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is targeting military infrastructure sites in the province of Kermanshah in western Iran, it said in a statement on Monday.

Kermanshah is located hundreds of kilometres from Tehran and borders Iraq.

Earlier, the IDF said in a statement on X it was conducting "intelligence-based strikes using over 30 munitions on sites across Kermanshah, Hamedan and Tehran" and that the targets included "missile storage and launch infrastructure, radar and satellite systems used for aerial intel, and a surface-to-air missile launcher near Tehran".

Iran also launched a strike on Israel on Monday, firing a missile that was intercepted by Israel's air defences.

— Hannah Ritchie

2 months ago23 Jun 3:09pm

Australia's peak Jewish organisation praises US strikes

Australia's peak body of Jewish organisations has welcomed the United States' strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

"For decades, the Iranian regime has pressed on with its uranium enrichment program far beyond anything it needs for peaceful purposes, and has gambled that the rest of the world would lack the resolve to stop it from developing nuclear weapons capability," Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Daniel Aghion said.

“It should never be forgotten that the US action was made much less vulnerable to retaliation by the Iranian regime by the fact that the Israel Defense Forces operations over the last 20 months have effectively dismantled Iran’s regional proxies and greatly weakened Iran itself," he added.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the Labor government supports the United States' strikes on Iran. Australia is one of the few US allies to fully back the attack, as many others expressed concern.

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago23 Jun 2:44pm

Smartraveller issues updated Middle East travel advice

The government's Smartraveller website has issued an updated travel advice regarding the Middle East region.

Its country-specific travel advice for Iran, Israel and the Palestinian territories remains "do not travel".

You can read the full advice here.

2 months ago23 Jun 2:43pm

North Korea condemns US attack on Iran as a 'grave violation'

North Korea has condemned the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities as a "grave violation" of a sovereign state's security interests and territorial rights, in a statement reported by its state media.

"(North Korea) strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US, which ... violently trampled down the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state," a spokesperson for North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by KCNA news agency.

The statement also described the United States and Israel as "the culprits" of the current tensions in the Middle East.

"The just international community should raise the voice of unanimous censure and rejection against the US and Israel's confrontational acts," it added.

Iran and nuclear-armed North Korea have maintained friendly ties and have been suspected for decades of military cooperation, including the development of ballistic missiles.

— Reuters

2 months ago23 Jun 2:40pm

Trump ally criticises US decision to strike Iran

Controversial Republican politician and Donald Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticised the US president's decision to strike key Iranian nuclear facilities, highlighting the growing rift between Trump's right-wing coalition of supporters.

"There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if [its Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first. Israel is a nuclear-armed nation," Greene said in a post on X.

"This is not our fight. Peace is the answer."

Greene belongs to a group of Republican politicians and right-wing commentators who have voiced scepticism towards US involvement in a regional conflict — a shift in tone from the messaging coming from the party's leadership, who have moved swiftly to rally behind Trump.

— Hannah Ritchie

2 months ago23 Jun 1:54pm

Before and after photos of Fordow: Trump says 'obliteration is an accurate term'

Commercial satellite imagery indicates the US attack on Iran's Fordow nuclear plant severely damaged the deeply-buried site, but there was no confirmation of the below-ground destruction.

In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said: "Monumental damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!"

Here are some handout satellite images made available by Maxar Technologies:

Satellite image of a uranium enrichment facility.

An overview of the Fordow facility before the US airstrikes. Source: EPA / Maxar Technologies

A close-up view of holes and craters on a ridge after the US airstrikes. Source: EPA / Maxar Technologies

A closer view of a ridge at the facility before the attack. Source: EPA / Maxar Technologies

A closer view of craters and ash on a ridge after the attack. Source: EPA / Maxar Technologies

Reuters news agency spoke to four experts who reviewed the imagery, which shows six neatly spaced holes in two groups in the mountain ridge beneath which the hall containing the centrifuges is believed to be located.

General Dan Caine, chair of the US joint chiefs of staff, told reporters seven B-2 bombers dropped 14 precision-guided bombs designed to drive up to 200 feet into hardened underground facilities.

Caine said initial assessments indicated the sites suffered extremely severe damage, but declined to speculate about whether any nuclear facilities remained intact.

According to one expert cited by Reuters, Caine's comments and the imagery indicate the B-2s dropped an initial load of six Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Fordow, followed by a "double tap" of six more in the exact same spots.

— Reuters

3 months ago23 Jun 1:31pm

Australian Jewish groups react to Australia's 'endorsement' of US strikes

Two Australian Jewish groups have responded to Foreign Minister Penny Wong's remarks earlier this morning that Australia supports the United States' strikes on Iran.

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) shared a screenshot on Monday referencing Wong's comments on X, accusing the foreign minister of "leading from behind" and "waiting to see how everyone else" reacted to the US strikes.

"Finally when it dawns on you that Labor has trashed Australia's relationship with the US and can't even get a meeting with President Trump, you decide to support it," said the group, which describes itself as advocating for "centre-right policies that promote individual liberty, economic freedom, limited government, strong national defence, and the primacy of Australian law".

Wong's public support for the US strikes this morning came after a statement from a government spokesperson yesterday that didn't use such language, saying that "Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security" and calling for "de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy".

Another group, the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), also criticised Wong's response — for a very different reason.

The group, which formed in February 2024 to represent non-Zionist Jews in Australia, says it opposes antisemitism and supports the rights of Palestinians. Its members "have diverse views on many issues" but are "united in our opposition to Israel's continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life".

In a statement on Monday, the group said it condemned Wong's endorsement of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear targets, which it called a "reckless provocation" and "illegal act of aggression that threatens to escalate a dangerous regional conflict and lead to more death and suffering".

"Australia's support for this action makes it complicit in a pattern of military violence that is destabilising the Middle East and fuelling global insecurity," it continued.

Max Kaiser, one of the group's leaders, called on the Australian government to immediately withdraw its support for the strikes, take action against Israel's ongoing military action in Gaza, and "adopt an independent foreign policy grounded in peace, diplomacy, and international law".

Sarah Schwartz, another one of the group's leaders, said the group was "horrified" that the Australian government would endorse the US strike, and said it was "time for Australia to break ranks with those driving the violence".

Both the AJA and JCA have strong followings on social media but have been criticised as being less representative than peak bodies such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

— Alex Gallagher

Trump hints at 'regime change' as world awaits Iran's response to attack — as it happened

The United States on Sunday bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, joining Israel's attacks, which began on 13 June. Iran has vowed to retaliate and said the US has crossed "a very big red line".

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

UN nuclear watchdog says US attack likely caused "significant damage" to Fordow

China says the US decision to strike Iran damaged its credibility

Russia reiterates criticism of US strikes as Putin prepares to meet Iran's FM

Australians remain in Israel after evacuation flights postponed

Israel tells its citizens to come out of shelters

Key meetings set to take place today

Iran's supreme leader asks Putin to "do more" after US strikes - Reuters

Multiple thuds heard across Jerusalem - Reuters

Israel says missiles launched towards it from Iran

Air travel experiencing diversions, delays, cancellations and added fuel costs

Iran's military warns of 'heavy consequences' for the US

Israel says it has struck Iranian airports and destroyed aircraft

Iran and Russia 'coordinating' positions on the current escalation

Australians are leaving Iran through a number of routes

Israel launches strikes on Iranian military infrastructure

Australia's peak Jewish organisation praises US strikes

Smartraveller issues updated Middle East travel advice

North Korea condemns US attack on Iran as a 'grave violation'

Trump ally criticises US decision to strike Iran

Before and after photos of Fordow: Trump says 'obliteration is an accurate term'

Australian Jewish groups react to Australia's 'endorsement' of US strikes

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Trump hints at 'regime change' as world awaits Iran's response to attack — as it happened

The United States on Sunday bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, joining Israel's attacks, which began on 13 June. Iran has vowed to retaliate and said the US has crossed "a very big red line".

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

UN nuclear watchdog says US attack likely caused "significant damage" to Fordow

China says the US decision to strike Iran damaged its credibility

Russia reiterates criticism of US strikes as Putin prepares to meet Iran's FM

Australians remain in Israel after evacuation flights postponed

Israel tells its citizens to come out of shelters

Key meetings set to take place today

Iran's supreme leader asks Putin to "do more" after US strikes - Reuters

Multiple thuds heard across Jerusalem - Reuters

Israel says missiles launched towards it from Iran

Air travel experiencing diversions, delays, cancellations and added fuel costs

Iran's military warns of 'heavy consequences' for the US

Israel says it has struck Iranian airports and destroyed aircraft

Iran and Russia 'coordinating' positions on the current escalation

Australians are leaving Iran through a number of routes

Israel launches strikes on Iranian military infrastructure

Australia's peak Jewish organisation praises US strikes

Smartraveller issues updated Middle East travel advice

North Korea condemns US attack on Iran as a 'grave violation'

Trump ally criticises US decision to strike Iran

Before and after photos of Fordow: Trump says 'obliteration is an accurate term'

Australian Jewish groups react to Australia's 'endorsement' of US strikes

previous

1of3

next

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