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TRANSCRIPT:
- Australia directs non-essential officials in Israel and the United Arab Emirates to leave
- Iran's new Supreme Leader issues his first statement after reports he was injured in strikes
- Matildas' Haley Raso and Steph Catley won't play against North Korea at the Women's Asian Cup tonight
The federal government has directed non-essential Australian officials posted to Israel and the United Arab Emirates, to return home.
In a statement posted across social media platforms last night, Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed essential Australian officials will remain on site to support citizens who are currently in the UAE.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has reiterated its advice to Australians not to travel to Israel and the UAE, and urged Australians in the Middle East to leave if it is safe to do so.
**
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as leverage in the war with the US and Israel.
In a statement read out by a newsreader on Iranian state television, he also says Iran will continue to attack US bases in its Gulf Arab neighbours.
It is the first public comments attributed to the Supreme Leader who has not been seen in public since succeeding his father.
An Israeli assessment indicates he was wounded a previous attack.
The defiant statement also threatened to open other fronts in the war.
"The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency."
**
Israeli air strikes have hit central Beirut and areas near Lebanon’s only public university, as Israel's conflict with Hezbollah intensifies.
A building in Beirut’s Bashoura district, close to the Lebanese government headquarters, was struck in a rare attack on the capital’s downtown area.
Israel says it was targeting a Hezbollah-linked site after issuing evacuation warnings.
In a separate strike near the Lebanese University campus in Hadath, Lebanese officials say two academics were killed.
President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, saying it violated international laws protecting educational institutions.
**
FBI agents and police are on scene at a synagogue that appears to have been targeted by a gunman, in the US city of Detroit.
Witnesses report seeing a car crash into the Temple Israel synagogue, before smoke was seen coming from what appeared to be a fire inside.
Michigan police have confirmed the synagogue's security team exchanged gunfire with an active shooter, who has reportedly now been killed.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit has put Jewish agencies in the city under a precautionary lockdown.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the attack in a written statement released online.
"This is heartbreaking. Michigan's Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone's safety. Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action."
**
Families of victims of the Bondi massacre fear the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion could lose credibility, following the sudden resignation of former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson.
Mr Richardson had originally been appointed to conduct an independent investigation into possible intelligence failures leading up to the 14th of December terror attack.
But his review was later folded into a broader federal royal commission into antisemitism, launched after weeks of lobbying from Australia’s Jewish community.
Mr Richardson says he resigned because he was “surplus to requirements”.
Jenny Rotyur, whose uncle Boris Tetleroyd was fatally shot at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, says families now fear the process could fall apart.
**
To sport now and in soccer, Matilda's coach Joe Montemurro has revealed neither Steph Catley or Hayley Raso will be included in the squad to play North Korea in Perth tonight.
Raso was concussed in the 4-0 win over Iran on March 5, while Catley also copped a concussion in Sunday's 3-3 draw with South Korea.
Under AFC rules, there is no mandated period on the sidelines for concussed players at the Asian Cup, meaning both Raso and Catley remained in the running to play against North Korea.
While Montemurro has now ruled out that possibility, he says the remaining players are in a strong and confident position.
"Our preparation really has been focusing on our strengths and what we do well. And we really believe that if we do our things well, we'll be fine. But it's always a difficult one. And I mean, just general preparation for every game has been tight and challenging at times, but the players are in good stead and prepared for the next adventure."
