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

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3 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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3 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

3 months ago23 Jun 12:47pm

Penny Wong says advice was to 'get our people out' of embassy in Tehran

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was asked during the press conference about the decision to withdraw staff from Australia's embassy in Tehran — and whether that was out of a fear they might be hit by a bomb, or fears of "reprisals in Tehran against our citizens and allies".

Wong said it was a "difficult decision to make" and one that Australia has had to make in the past, citing the previous government's decision to take the same step in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. "It occurs from time to time."

A woman with short, grey hair is speaking at a podium in front of a blue curtain and flags.

Penny Wong said it was a "difficult decision" to withdraw staff from Australia's embassy in Tehran. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Wong said she was "very conscious of the history in Iran" and that the advice given to her, which she discussed with the prime minister and deputy prime minister Richard Marles, was "to get our people out".

"Obviously, the situation in Iran is very distressing for Australians ... Over 3,000 Australians and their families have registered with us as seeking to leave and obviously, airspace remains closed. We have deployed people to the Azerbaijani border in the event more Australians are able to make it through that border."

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 12:28pm

PM says there have been 'consequences' of Iran 'choosing not to comply'

Anthony Albanese has urged Iran "not to take any further action that could destabilise the region" and to return to negotiations, calling on it to "come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program".

Albanese was asked why Iran would feel compelled to return to the negotiation process, given that it was engaged in talks with the US before Israel launched its strikes earlier this month.

The prime minister said Iran was incentivised to return to negotiations as it had an interest in ensuring there was no escalation in the region.

Albanese also said "circumstances would have been different" had Iran "complied" with requests made by the UN's nuclear energy watchdog.

Albanese says Australia supports US strikes on Iran, but insists action was 'unilateral'

Shortly before Israel launched strikes against Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years, saying it had failed to provide "full and timely co-operation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities".

Iran has long been a signatory to the UN-backed non-proliferation treaty and has accused the IAEA of giving Israel — which has not signed the treaty itself and is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons — a pretext to attack Iran.

Albanese was later asked if he supports the "premise" of the US attack — the allegation that Iran was imminently close to having nuclear weapons. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, such as energy, but has been significantly enriching its uranium supplies in recent years.

"The information has been clear that Iran has sought to increase the grade ... there's no other explanation for it to reach 60 [per cent] other than engaging in a program that wasn't about civilian nuclear power," he said.

Albanese said it was "clear that Iran had an opportunity to comply" when US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit early.

"They chose not to and there have been consequences of that."

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 11:58am

No change to Australia's terror threat levels

The prime minister was asked if Australia was reviewing its terror threat level in the wake of the US' strikes on Iran.

Anthony Albanese said ASIO director-general Mike Burgess and the country's security intelligence agencies are "constantly engaged in monitoring" the situation, but there was no change in any of the advice that has been issued.

Since August 2024, Australia's general terrorism threat level has been at 'probable', meaning there is a greater than 50 per cent chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next twelve months.

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 11:51am

US strikes were 'unilateral', Albanese says

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked to confirm whether or not Australia provided any military support to the US for its attack on Iran, or if facilities such as Pine Gap, Australia's joint intelligence surveillance base with the US in the Northern Territory, played a role.

"Well, we don't talk about intelligence matters, but we confirm, of course, that this was a unilateral action by the United States," he said.

Albanese was asked multiple times to confirm there was "no Australian involvement" whatsoever in the attack, each time replying that it was "unilateral action taken by the United States".

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 11:41am

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia backs US strikes on Iran

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made his first public comments in response to the US attack on Iran.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Albanese echoed Wong's comments that Australia supported the US' strikes as Iran "cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon".

"The US action was directed at specific sites central to Iran's nuclear program. We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy."

Albanese says Australia is calling upon Iran to "come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program".

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 11:24am

Iran's leader says Israel has made a 'grave mistake' and 'must be punished'

Iran's leader says the "punishment [will] continue" against Israel as the two countries continue trading strikes following the US attack on Sunday.

"The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime," an account representing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted on the social media platform X.

"It must be punished and it is being punished; it is being punished right now."

The post was accompanied by an image of a large skull with the Star of David on it being hit by missile fire.

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 11:13am

Iran says bases used by US forces could be targeted

Earlier this morning, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said bases used by US forces could potentially be attacked in retaliation for the US' strikes on Iran.

"Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces," Ali Akbar Velayati said, in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.

"America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences."

— AFP

3 months ago23 Jun 10:16am

Iran and Israel continue to trade strikes

Both Iran and Israel have traded strikes today. Iranian news agencies reported that explosions were heard in Karaj, west of Tehran, and air defence systems were activated in response.

Israel said missiles were launched towards it from Iran. The Israel Defence Forces said its Iron Dome defence system is working to intercept missiles and has told Israelis to seek shelter.

The Israeli army earlier said it has also carried out strikes on Iranian military targets, including missile launch and storage sites, on Sunday.

"Approximately 20 [Israeli] fighter jets conducted intelligence-based strikes using over 30 munitions on military targets in Iran," the Israeli army said in a statement posted to Telegram. The attacks were carried out on "storage and missile launching infrastructure sites", as well as "military satellites and radar sites".

Israel also struck several parts of northwest Iran on Sunday, Iranian media reported. At least three people were killed on Sunday after an Israeli strike hit an ambulance in central Iran.

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 9:53am

US issues a 'worldwide caution' for citizens

The US has issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans, warning there is an increased security risk for citizens abroad.

"There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," the US state department said in an update on its website and social media.

"The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution."

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 9:29am

Iran's foreign minister arrives in Russia for talks

Iran's foreign minister has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials.

"Abbas Araghchi … arrived in Moscow to hold consultations with the [Russian] president and other senior officials of Russia regarding regional and international developments following the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran," Iran's IRNA news agency said.

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 9:07am

Trump doesn't rule out 'regime change' in Iran

Members of US President Donald Trump's government have said the US strikes on Iran were not aimed at instigating a "regime change", only at dismantling its nuclear capabilities.

Vice president JD Vance told NBC News the US was "at war with Iran's nuclear program", not Iran itself.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth made similar comments, telling reporters at the Pentagon: "This mission was not and has not been about regime change."

But Trump himself appeared to contradict that stance in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change," he wrote. "But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"

JD Vance and Donald Trump sitting on chairs next to each other.

Members of the Trump administration have said the US strikes on Iran were not aimed at instigating a "regime change". Source: AAP / Sipa USA

— Alex Gallagher

3 months ago23 Jun 8:40am

Iran says the US has 'waged a war' under 'absurd' pretext

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani has criticised the US for its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, telling the UN Security Council the US had "waged a war" against the country.

"The United States ... has now once again resorted to illegal force, waged a war against my country, under a fabricated and absurd pretext: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," Iravani told the Security Council.

— AFP

3 months ago23 Jun 8:10am

UN meets on Iran as Russia, China push for ceasefire

The UN Security Council has met to discuss US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.

It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote.

A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, or China to pass.

3 months ago23 Jun 8:09am

Iran says US must 'receive a response'

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a warning following the US airstrikes, declaring the US must "receive a response" to the attacks on its nuclear sites.

Military forces remain on high alert as tensions in the region continue to rise.

— Julia Abbondanza

3 months ago23 Jun 7:53am

Penny Wong backs attack, says US hasn't asked for troops

Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC News the US hasn't asked for Australian troops, yet Australia backs the strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.

"When it comes to nuclear material and the world long agreed it's not in the interests of collective peace and security for Iran to gain access to a nuclear weapon," she said.

"It's obviously a very precarious, risky and dangerous moment the world faces. But … we need to reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."

Wong is urging Iran to return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation.

— Julia Abbondanza

3 months ago23 Jun 7:52am

What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important?

Iran's top security council is considering whether to close the Strait of Hormuz after parliament reportedly endorsed the move in response to US strikes on several nuclear sites.

Read more about why the strait is so important here:

What is the Strait of Hormuz and what could happen if Iran blocks it?

3 months ago23 Jun 7:52am

Trump says damage to Iran's nuclear sites 'monumental'

Trump said on Truth Social that the US strike has caused "monumental" damage to Iran's nuclear site.

"The damage to the nuclear sites in Iran is said to be 'monumental'," he posted.

"The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!"

— Julia Abbondanza

3 months ago23 Jun 7:52am

How the US carried out its attack

As Operation "Midnight Hammer" got underway, a group of B-2 bombers took off from their base in Missouri and were noticed heading out toward the Pacific island of Guam, in what experts view as possible pre-positioning for any US decision to strike Iran.

But they were decoys.

Read more about how the US carried out its attack on Iranian nuclear sites here:

Decoys and 'element of surprise': How US carried out its attack on Iran's nuclear sites

3 months ago23 Jun 7:52am

Welcome to our live blog

The US bombing targeting three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday marked the first act of direct military involvement by the US in the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Iran has condemned the strikes and said it will defend its people, territory and sovereignty by "all means necessary".

Iran's allies have called for a "united front against aggression" amid security fears throughout the Middle East.

Stay here for the latest developments, expert analysis, and global reactions.

The US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and its aftermath — as it happened

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

Penny Wong says advice was to 'get our people out' of embassy in Tehran

PM says there have been 'consequences' of Iran 'choosing not to comply'

READ MORE

No change to Australia's terror threat levels

US strikes were 'unilateral', Albanese says

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia backs US strikes on Iran

Iran's leader says Israel has made a 'grave mistake' and 'must be punished'

Iran says bases used by US forces could be targeted

Iran and Israel continue to trade strikes

US issues a 'worldwide caution' for citizens

Iran's foreign minister arrives in Russia for talks

Trump doesn't rule out 'regime change' in Iran

Iran says the US has 'waged a war' under 'absurd' pretext

UN meets on Iran as Russia, China push for ceasefire