Australia grants asylum to five Iranian football players — as it happened

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".

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'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