Trump says US forces will 'finish the job' in Iran as Albanese defends national address — as it happened

Earlier today, Iran's foreign ministry said United States President Donald Trump's claim that the Iranian president had asked for a ceasefire was "false and baseless".

Trump made the claim on his Truth Social platform.

"Iran's New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!," Trump said, without specifying who he had spoken to.

— Miles Proust

Opposition leader Angus Taylor says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's national address last night lacked clarity, saying: "We got hot air, we got nothing."

Speaking to the Today show on Thursday morning, Taylor said Australians heading off on their Easter holidays were seeking further information on the state of the fuel situation and has accused Albanese of wasting the "unusual" opportunity.

"What we need is clarity, confidence. Instead, what we've got is confusion," he said.

He urged transparency with the public about gaps in the supply chain and how they are going to be addressed. The government has issued persistent assurances that public supply levels remain steady, although demand has driven a spike in prices.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor has accused the prime minister of lacking clarity in his message to Australians on Wednesday night. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Taylor said it was unclear whether state or federal governments were leading the response, pointing to Western Australia, where Premier Roger Cook has declared a state of emergency.

"It’s extremely confused, and we're now getting responses from state premiers which are muddying the waters on where we’re going with all of this," he said.

— Ewa Staszewska

Anthony Albanese's somewhat unusual decision to hold a televised national address to reiterate previously announced measures has some on the internet wondering why he didn't just send an email — but SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has other thoughts.

Before the announcement, speculation mounted that he might use his prime-time slot to announce troop deployment or fuel rationing; instead, the speech was light on policy and specific direction.

So, why did he decide to face the nation?

Read more here:

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The seven-word reality check in Anthony Albanese's address to the nation

— Samantha Jonscher

The White House has released a statement ahead of US President Donald Trump's televised address, which is expected at 12pm Thursday AEDT (9pm Wednesday local time).

US President Donald Trump will deliver an address to the nation at 12pm AEDT Thursday (9pm Wednesday local time). Source: Getty / Chip Somodevilla

"Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. military is executing this mission with unmatched power and precision," it reads.

"From day one, the objectives have been clear and unwavering: obliterate Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capability, annihilate its navy, sever its support for terrorist proxies, and ensure the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism never acquires a nuclear weapon."

Several Trump administration officials are quoted outlining the objectives.

Trump earlier told the Reuters news agency the war with Iran would end fairly soon, though the US could return for "spot hits" if needed.

In his address, Reuters reported Trump would announce that he was considering withdrawing the US from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for what he sees as its failures to support US military action in Iran.

— Miles Proust

Anthony Albanese is set to address the National Press Club today at 12.30pm AEDT.

The prime minister is expected to announce interest-free loans for businesses affected by the fuel supply crisis.

The loans will be provided through the pre-existing National Reconstruction Fund.

Albanese is also expected to speak about Australia's stance on the ongoing conflict.

— Samantha Jonscher

Leaders from 35 countries, including Australia, are set to join a snap summit later today to assess how to facilitate the reopening of the vital shipping route.

The United States has not been invited.

The United Kingdom is convening the virtual talks, which will include Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her international counterparts.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting would "assess all viable diplomatic and political measures we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and to resume the movement of vital commodities".

— Samantha Jonscher

Good morning and welcome to today's live blog covering the war in the Middle East.

• The war is in its fifth week and the US is under pressure to de-escalate the conflict amidst global energy insecurity and threats of a severe economic downturn.
• US President Donald Trump is scheduled to make a national address at 12pm Thursday AEDT (9pm Wednesday local time), with White House sources indicating he would be using the slot to outline a two-to-three week timetable for the ending of the war.
• Trump is also expected to announce that he’s considering withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

— Samantha Jonscher