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TRANSCRIPT
- President Trump says the US has bombed military targets at a key Iranian oil depot
- A New South Wales town runs out of fuel amid supply shortage fears
- The Matildas celebrate their Asian Cup win against North Korea
President Donald Trump says the US military has "obliterated" all military targets on Iran's Kharg Island.
The island is home to ports which handle 90 per cent of Iran's crude oil exports.
In a social media post, Mr Trump described the attack as "one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East".
He says oil infrastructure has not been struck - but threatened to "reconsider" that decision, if Iran interferes with the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian strikes have already effectively halted maritime traffic in the Strait, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas would normally pass.
**
The United States is sending additional Marines and ships to the Middle East as the US and Israeli campaign against Iran enters its third week.
US media report the Japan-based USS Tripoli and its Marines are heading to the region, while around 2,500 Marines aboard up to three ships are also being deployed at the request of US Central Command.
Tehran has launched waves of missiles and drones and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in response to large-scale US and Israeli airstrikes.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the threat to the Strait of Hormuz is being managed.
"As the world is seeing, they (Iran) are exercising sheer desperation in the straits of Hormuz, something we're dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don't need to worry about it. We're on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before."
**
A large explosion has rocked a central square in Tehran as thousands gathered for a state-organised Quds Day rally, chanting "death to America".
Two Iranian leaders survived the blast - including security council chief Ali Laranji - while Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-ejei was giving an interview to state television when the blast occurred.
“People are not afraid of these attacks. As you can see, people have come out in this rain, under these hardships. We will not back down in any way.”
The US says it has hit 15,000 targets in Iran since the start of the war.
Israel has announced another wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and defence capabilities.
In recent days, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 1,800 people have been killed in the strikes including more than 1,200 civilians and 200 children.
This comes as Lebanon's Health Ministry says more than 100 children are among 773 people killed by Israeli strikes in the country.
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The only service station in the regional New South Wales town of Batlow has run out of fuel, with the nearest petrol station 300 kilometres away.
Snowy Mountains mayor Julia Ham has told the Nine Network, the region's apple farmers and grape growers rely heavily on the fuel, and the town is home to a large elderly population with high medical needs.
"This is an independent service station. It's the only service station in town. The other service station was burnt to the ground in the 2020 fires. There's a DA to have it rebuilt. But of course, the prices have gone up so much it hasn't been rebuilt. So we're terribly vulnerable."
The federal government is releasing 20 per cent of Australia's stock and diesel petrol reserves to help address the shortages.
It has also reduced the minimum stock obligations for fuel companies to help them better manage their supply chains, but the Opposition says more must be done.
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An 18-year-old has spoken out after being arrested for using a recently banned pro-Palestinian slogan.
Bonnie Carter attended a rally outside Queensland parliament on Wednesday wearing a T-shirt with the phrase 'From the river to the sea' - but the phrase - alongside the slogan 'Globalise the intifada' - was banned in the state in February.
Ms Carter says she did not know the slogan had been outlawed when she left home to attend the rally - and argues the ban suppresses people's right to free speech.
Parts of the Jewish community say the phrases are antisemitic and call for the destruction of Israel, while some pro-Palestinian supporters say they are calls for self-determination and freedom.
**
Matildas captain Sam Kerr says the team's 2-1 win against North Korea in Perth on Friday night has boosted her confidence, as she continues to overcome injury woes.
The win sees Australia progress to the Asian Cup semi-final and qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Kerr scored the second goal, after Alanna Kennedy struck home in the ninth minute.
She says her fitness remains at about 85 per cent following her recovery from an A-C-L injury.
"It's more about confidence and feeling now. I'm playing where I am, but I know there are still moments in the game where I think I can turn more, I can do more, but I've been obviously out for a while. I've got to find my feet again. I've got to find my confidence, and it's more a mental game now than anything, but goals like tonight and wins like tonight really help my confidence."
