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TRANSCRIPT
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for an end to Israel's strikes in Lebanon
- Consumers and motorists warned it will take some time for prices to drop after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened
- Three Italian football teams to play games in Perth
The White House says Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately, after Iranian media reported Tehran had moved to close the waterway following Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump had been briefed on the reports, which she claims are false.
"Well, with respect to the first reporting out of Iranian state media, the President was made aware of those reports before I came to the podium. That is completely unacceptable. And again, this is a case of what they're saying publicly is different privately. I will reiterate the President's expectation and demand that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately, quickly and safely. That is his expectation. It has been relayed to him privately that that is what's taking place, and these reports publicly are false."
Major shipping companies say conditions remain uncertain and vessels are concerned about security in the strait.
The White House has also confirmed Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation in talks with Iran in Islamabad this weekend.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Israel to end its strikes on Lebanon, saying the Middle East ceasefire should be expanded to include Lebanon.
The US, Israel and Iran have agreed to a tentative two-week ceasefire.
But all sides have presented vastly different versions of the terms.
There are also conflicting views on whether the ceasefire includes Israel ending its fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Mr Albanese says long-term de-escalation must be the focus.
"This is an important step forward. Of course, this is fragile peace, but we want it to lead to an agreement. The Australian government also firmly believes this has to apply to Lebanon as well. We want to see peace in this region. And it will make a difference. And I know that many Australians are concerned about the events that are happening in Lebanon. This is a matter of not just the impact there. But the impact that is having right around the world."
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The federal government has repeated its warnings to consumers that economic relief from the fuel crisis won't follow immediately from the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is travelling to Singapore for talks aimed at further shoring up Australia's fuel supplies, as the opposition calls for a public database of how much petrol and diesel are in the nation's reserves.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Australian government is taking a proactive approach.
"And the end of this war can't come soon enough. There is still a lot of uncertainty. There is still a lot of volatility. We still expect the economic consequences to be felt for a little while yet. Australians didn't choose the consequences of the beginning or the end of this war. But they're being asked to pay a very hefty price for it. And that is really the government's focus. That is why we're working around the clock. They're being asked to pay a very hefty price for it and that is really the government's focus. And that is why we're working around the clock to help with the cost of living with our fuel excise cuts. It is why the prime minister is engaging with his international counterparts."
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Australia’s leading charities say they have raised more than $3.4 million in a month to help people caught up in the worsening humanitarian crisis across the Middle East.
The total includes a $2 million dollar contribution from the Minderoo Foundation.
Emergency Action Alliance executive director Kerren Morris says that despite cost of living pressures, Australians have responded with compassion to the appeal featuring 15 major aid groups, to support communities in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.
The Alliance says the need remains urgent, with the UN reporting more than 1.1 million people displaced in Lebanon alone.
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To sport and in football news,
AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus are coming to Australia to play in pre-season games in Perth.
Currently top of the Italian league, Inter is travelling to Australia for the first time - but it is the third year in a row that AC Milan has played a match in Perth.
The team faced fellow Italians AS Roma last year, and A-League Men's side Perth Glory in 2024.
Inter’s first match will be the derby against AC Milan, on August 5; followed by a game against Juventus three days later.
