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TRANSCRIPT
- Six US service members confirmed killed in a plane crash in Iraq
- The Federal Government recalls all non-essential Australian officials from Lebanon
- The Matildas progress to the Asian Cup semi-final
A US military refuelling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the war with Iran, killing six crew members.
US Central Command, in a post on X, says two planes were involved in the incident.
"US Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire."
This brings the total of U-S troops killed since the war began on 28 February, to 13, with about 150 wounded.
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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claims Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has been wounded and possibly disfigured, in the war with the United States and Israel.
Ayatollah Khamenei has not appeared publicly since taking power following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his first remarks were delivered only in a written statement.
Mr Hegseth says the absence of video or audio raises questions about the Iranian leader’s condition.
"Iran's leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding, they've gone underground, cowering. That's what rats do. We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday, a weak one, actually, but there was no voice and there was no video."
The Pentagon says American forces are continuing heavy strikes aimed at destroying Iran’s missile, drone and naval capabilities as the conflict enters its third week.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has ordered non-essential Australian officials posted in Lebanon to return to Australia, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says a small number of Australian officials will remain in Lebanon to provide consular support to Australians.
Earlier, the government announced non- officials are also being pulled out of the United Arab Emirates and Israel, urging them to leave now, if it's safe to do so.
An Australian man living in the UAE, Khaled Alhamss tells SBS Arabic, he doesn't see the need to leave.
"We are safe here. No issues at all. The people doing their life as normal, so they don't need to concern to worry about Australians here. Don't listen to the maybe fake news. We talk about the situation is scary here. At least in the UAE, I don't know about other countries. It is very safe. The life is normal as before the war."
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Nationals Leader Matt Canavan has urged Australia to collaborate further with the International Energy Agency and international partners to maintain the global flow of crude oil.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen earlier announced the federal government will release 20 per cent of Australia’s stock of diesel and petrol reserves to help meet localised shortages, especially in regional Australia.
The government has also reduced the minimum stock obligations for petrol and diesel companies, to allow them to better manage their supply chains.
Mr Canavan says more can be done to ensure rationing doesn't become necessary.
"The government has said that we have sufficient supply of petrol and diesel in this country. So the question is why not free that up and deliver it? So I think that's got to be the first step here. Obviously the second step is the government needs to start working with other countries around the world with the International Energy Agency to keep the flow of crude oil and refined products flowing across the world so we don't get to the stage of rationing."
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Australian businessman Alexander Csergo has been found guilty of reckless foreign interference, which carries the potential for a 15-year jail sentence.
The New South Wales District Court jury found Mr Csergo compiled reports for individuals whom he should have suspected were Chinese spies.
He is the second person charged by the federal police's Counter Foreign Interference Task force since new laws came into effect in 2018.
The 59-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge throughout the trial, which began in mid-February.
**
To sport, and in football, the Matildas have qualified for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil after beating North Korea 2-1 in their Women's Asian Cup quarter-final in Perth.
Alanna Kennedy struck her fifth goal of the tournament in the in the ninth minute, before captain Sam Kerr made it 2-0 in the 47th minute.
But world Number Nine North Korea dominated for large parts of the match, and pulled a goal back in the second half.
Australia will play a semi-final against either China or Taiwan on Tuesday.
