Follow live: Trump says war could end 'very soon' while threatening Iran over oil supply

United States President Donald Trump has been giving a speech at a Republican conference in Florida, where he has spoken about the war in the Middle East.

Trump said the war could end soon — without giving a clear timeframe — but threatened a larger attack on Iran if it blocks supplies of oil, saying they'll "get hit at a much, much harder level", and insisted the offensive would continue "until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated".

"We've already won in many ways, but we haven't won enough."

Trump had initially said the war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran about a week and a half ago, would continue for about a month. But the US president said in an interview with CBS earlier today the war was "very complete, pretty much", earlier than he had anticipated.

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During the conference in Florida, Trump also said the US was investigating a deadly strike on a school in the opening days of the war, which Iran said killed more than 150 people.

"That's being investigated right now," Trump said. "Whatever the report shows, I'm willing to live with that report."

Trump added that he did not "know enough about" the strike, while also suggesting without evidence that Iran may have used a Tomahawk missile — a weapon it does not possess — to hit the school itself.

— Alex Gallagher, Agence France-Presse

The Asylum Seekers Centre has welcomed the decision to grant humanitarian visas to five Iranian football players, but says it should just be the start.

"This is a compassionate and practical step that recognises the serious risks many Iranian people face if they are forced to return to Iran," Asylum Seekers Centre CEO Elijah Buol said.

"But this moment should be the start, not the end. It must shine a light on the many Iranian people seeking asylum already living in our community who remain in limbo, waiting for certainty and protection."

"Protection should not rely on having a platform. Safety must not be contingent on the presence of TV cameras."

It has called on the Australian government to ensure Iranian people seeking asylum in Australia have access to "safety, fair processes, and a clear pathway to permanent protection".

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The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) also welcomed the decision and said it recognised serious safety concerns the players could face if forced to return to Iran.

"Granting protection to these players acknowledges the very real risks they could face if they were forced to return home," RCOA co-CEO Paul Power said. "Australia’s protection system exists for exactly these kinds of situations, to ensure that people who face serious harm if returned to their country have the opportunity to seek safety and have their claims properly considered."

Amnesty International Australia said it was concerned for the safety of the remaining members of the team. It says the players face significant risks if returned to Iran, including potential detention, reprisals by Iranian authorities, and risks to the safety of their families.

Corruption and treason can be punishable by death in Iran.

Supporters attempted to block a bus transporting Iran's women's team after their Asian Cup exit. Source: AAP / Dave Hunt

"Australia has clear obligations under the Refugee Convention to protect people who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country," said Zaki Haidari, a campaigner at Amnesty International Australia. "We hope the government continues to uphold these obligations when considering protection for others fleeing persecution and conflict within the region."

"We thank the Australian public and international supporters who have shown solidarity with the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team, offering their support and advocating for them to be welcomed and allowed to remain in Australia," Haidari said.

"We celebrate the courage of these women and commend their bravery in peacefully speaking out for their rights."

— Alexandra Koster

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged any remaining Australians in the Middle East who wish to leave to "do so now", warning the security situation is "deteriorating".

"There are many more Australians still in the Middle East, and we do understand these are difficult decisions for Australians and their families ... [but] we encourage those who wish to leave to do so now," she says.

"Do so while commercial flights are still available."

She says that as of Tuesday morning, 2,600 Australians had returned from the region on commercial flights.

More than 27,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been cancelled since 28 February.

Penny Wong says 2,600 Australians have returned from the region on commercial flights. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Wong said the "overwhelming majority" of Australians who were travelling in the Middle East and became stranded when the war broke out have now returned home.

"Yesterday, we saw the first flight from Qatar direct to Australia land safely. We hope to see further flights in the coming days," Wong said.

But she said the security situation was "deteriorating".

"It is likely to get worse before it gets better. We've also been focused on trying to offer options to Australians where no flights were involved."

— Alexandra Koster

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has reiterated his plea to Australians not to panic-buy fuel and said Australia has 32 days of reserve petrol.

"I can say that our diesel and petrol supplies remain, at this point, secure. We have as much diesel in Australia today as we had before this crisis began," Bowen says.

"We are seeing a big increase in demand, particularly for diesel, and I understand why Australians are concerned. But my key message is that every single expected arrival of diesel supply in recent days and expected in coming days and weeks has arrived on schedule as expected.

"There is no need for panic buying."

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Shipping has been disrupted with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil corridors.

Oil companies have been accused of jacking up the price of fuel as the average price of unleaded petrol soared past $2 a litre in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Monday.

Meanwhile, share markets have fallen as the inflationary jolt from surging oil prices threatens to raise living costs and interest rates around the globe, while investors desperate for liquidity flee ‌to the US dollar.

— Alexandra Koster, Australian Associated Press

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a 2am phone call with United States President Donald Trump was "very positive" and centred around Australia granting asylum to five Iranian football players.

"He was concerned about the Iranian women in the soccer team and their welfare and their safety if they returned home," Albanese says. "I was able to convey to him the action that we'd undertaken over the previous 48 hours, and that five of the team had asked for assistance and had received it, and were safely located."

Asked about whether the conversation also included details about Australia's military deployment in the region, Albanese said: "It was a warm conversation between myself and President Trump, primarily about the Iranian soccer team, but obviously we also discussed war events and the four-week deployments."

Albanese announced this morning that Australia would be sending an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and missiles to the Gulf to protect Australians and other civilians in the region.

He later said that "President Trump is very optimistic" about the war.

— Alexandra Koster

Tony Burke has shared photos taken when he met with five members of Iran's women's football team last night.

The images show the home affairs minister and footballers in a hotel room, with Burke signing documents.

"Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian women's soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here," Burke captioned the post.

Source: Instagram / @tony_burke_au

Source: Instagram / @tony_burke_au

— Alex Gallagher

The deployment of the E-7A Wedgetail is intended to help "protect and defend Australians and other civilians", Anthony Albanese says.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says the aircraft would be leaving Australia today.

"The expectation is that it will be in the region in the middle of the week and operational by the end of the week."

The Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft with long-range reconnaissance capability.

Michael Shoebridge, director of defence and security think tank Strategic Analysis Australia, told SBS News an E-7A Wedgetail could be deployed to "help direct interceptors and counter drone systems".

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Marles added that Australia would be supplying missiles to the UAE: "We have also received a request from the UAE to supply advanced, medium-range air missiles and ramps, and we will be supplying a number of those to the UAE."

The UAE has been forced to shoot down over 1,500 drones and rockets, Albanese says.

"These are defensive weapons. I want to make that clear," Marles says. "It is for the defence of the countries in the Gulf, and particularly UAE, where there are significant numbers of Australians who reside.

"We are really pleased to be able to make this contribution."

— Alexandra Koster and Ewa Staszewska

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will send an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and missiles to the Gulf in what he says is in a defensive capacity.

"We’re taking defensive action to support our partners' efforts to keep Australians safe. Deployed ADF assets will operate according to the right of collective self-defence," Albanese said during a press conference in Canberra this morning.

"Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail to the Gulf to help protect and defend Australians and other civilians. The Wedgetail will provide long-range reconnaissance capability, which will help to protect and secure the airspace above the Wedgetail and supporting Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed for an initial four weeks in support of the collective self-defence of Gulf nations."

— Alexandra Koster

The women from Iran's national football team who have been granted humanitarian visas have been identified.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the women are midfielders Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali Alishah, Mona Hamoudi and team captain Zahra Ghanbari, as well as defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh.

During his press conference this morning, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the women were happy to have their names and faces reported.

"They have asked that they be reported for who they are, and they wanted to make clear they are not political activists, they're athletes who want to be safe, and are very grateful that Australia's making that opportunity for them," Burke said.

— Alex Gallagher

United States President Donald Trump has said the country's war with Iran was "very complete, pretty much" and that the US was "very far" ahead of his initial timeframe of four or five weeks.

"They have no navy, no communications, they've got no air force," Trump told CBS News in an interview early on Tuesday, referring to Iran.

"Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones," he added. "If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense."

Trump is expected to give a press conference soon.

— Alex Gallagher

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that five women from Iran's women's football team have been granted humanitarian visas.

Burke, speaking at a press conference in Brisbane this morning, said conversations about the women seeking assistance started "in earnest" yesterday morning, and it was made clear there were five team members who wanted to stay in Australia. Burke said the Australian Federal Police moved them to a safe location, where Burke met with them last night.

"I signed off last night for their applications to go on to humanitarian visas, and a little bit after 1:30am this morning, the processing was completed by the Department of Home Affairs," Burke said.

Burke added that the opportunity was open to other members of the team as well.

"They are welcome to stay in Australia, they are safe here, and they should feel at home here."

Tony Burke said the opportunity was open to other members of Iran's women's football team, who Australia had "taken into our hearts". Source: AAP / Dominic Giannini

Iranian community organisations had expressed grave fears the footballers could face retribution if they returned home after refusing to sing the national anthem before their tournament-opening match against South Korea last Monday, in what was widely viewed as a silent protest.

— Alex Gallagher

Australia's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Ridwaan Jadwat says the majority of Australians who were left stranded in the UAE amid the war in the Middle East have now departed the UAE.

In a video statement on X, Jadwat said more than 1,500 Australians have departed the UAE for Australia on 18 commercial flights, with hundreds more leaving for other destinations.

He encouraged Australians living and working in the UAE to consider booking flights if they feel unsafe, adding that more commercial flights with seats are available.

Some 115,000 Australians were in the Middle East when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long said flights leaving with empty seats should not be a concern.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened its crisis portal for Australians in Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon, in addition to Iran, Israel, Qatar and the UAE.

— Sydney Lang

The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, has issued a statement expressing grave concerns about “the continuous escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and the devastating toll it is taking on children".

The agency said at least 83 children have been killed — more than 10 each day — and 254 wounded since 2 March.

“These figures are staggering. They are a stark testament to the toll that conflict is taking on children," UNICEF's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, said in a statement.

“UNICEF calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and shelters, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The UN Agency said Israeli attacks on Lebanon have forced nearly 700,000 people from their homes, adding to the tens of thousands already displaced.

— Sydney Lang

Five players from the Iranian women's football team have broken free and are now under the protection of the Australian Federal Police, seeking assistance from the federal government.

Government sources have confirmed the reports to SBS News.

The team has been in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup and has been staying at a hotel on the Gold Coast under heavy guard by Iranian security.

United States President Donald Trump said early on Tuesday that he had spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the team and that the five women had been "taken care of".

READ MORE

'Joy' and 'relief' for Iranian women's soccer team offered new life in Australia

Iranian community organisations had expressed grave fears the footballers could face retribution if they returned home after refusing to sing the national anthem before their tournament-opening match against South Korea last Monday, in what was widely viewed as a silent protest.

— Anna Henderson

Good morning, thanks for joining our live coverage of the war in the Middle East.

Overnight, five players from the Iranian national women's football team, who are in Australia for the AFC Asian Cup, have been granted asylum, amid fears they would be persecuted if they returned to Iran. The government is expected to give an update later this morning.

We'll be following developments throughout the day.

— Alex Gallagher