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TRANSCRIPT:
- The US has torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, killing dozens
- Hundreds of Australians from the UAE arrive home on special flights
- Iranian players emotional, ahead of tonight's Women's Asian Cup game against the Matildas
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has confirmed that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean with a torpedo, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening the US military's pursuit of the Iranian navy.
His announcement comes after Sri Lankan officials confirm its navy had responded to a distress call from an Iranian ship.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says 180 people were on board the vessel, which he identified as the IRIS Dena.
At least 87 people were killed while the Sri Lanka Navy says 32 others were rescued.
Mr Hegseth vowed continued and intensifying military pressure on Iran.
"Yesterday in the Indian Ocean. And we'll play it on the screen there, an American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death. The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War Two.”
In fact, the UK and Pakistan have both sunk vessels using torpedoes since the end of World War Two.
**
Turkiye says it has issued a warning, after a missile fired from Iran was intercepted by NATO air-defence systems and debris landed on Turkish territory.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara is working closely with its NATO allies to prevent any repeat of the incident.
"As in this morning's incident, we are taking all kinds of precautions in close consultation with our NATO allies and we are making the necessary intervention immediately. We are giving warnings in the clearest way possible for similar incidents not to occur again."
Turkish authorities say the intercepted missile fell into a pond in a residential area in Hatay province in southern Turkey.
Ankara has since summoned Iran’s ambassador to lodge a formal protest over the ballistic missile launch.
**
A plane from Dubai carrying hundreds of Australians seeking to escape the conflict in the Middle East has arrived safely in Sydney.
It's the first commercial flight to arrive in Australia from the region since the closure of airspace after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, and Iran launched retaliatory strikes on 10 countries in the region.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said six crisis teams were being sent to the Middle East to provide extra consular support to trapped Australians, but would not confirm their locations due to security reasons.
Luke Trevitchick was among family members waiting at the airport for loved ones to return.
"Waiting for my brother Ryan, he's coming back after getting stuck there while on a school trip. He was actually trying to go to Turkey, but now obviously this situation's unfolded and he's had to come back unexpectedly, but I suppose for the situation that's going down as better as he's coming back than being stuck over there still."
There are about 115,000 Australians remaining in the region, with 24,000 in the United Arab Emirates.
**
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has refused to be drawn on the legality of the Israel and US strikes on Iran.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is visiting Australia, says the strikes are inconsistent with international law.
Senator Wong says it's a question for Israel and the United States.
"As the prime minister had said and we're not party to all the intelligence that is being referenced. It is also important to note that this did not begin with the strikes. We support action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
**
Canada's prime minister has called on Australia to help restore international order amid rapid military escalation in the Middle East.
Visiting Australia for the first time as leader, Mark Carney told the Lowy Institute in Sydney that coalitions with like-minded allies were needed more than ever after US and Israeli strikes on Iran were met with retaliatory attacks.
Mr Carney described Iran as a "serial offender of international law", but diverted from his initial steadfast support of American and Israeli actions, saying they needed to respect the rules of engagement.
He said countries like Australia and Canada have the capacity to rebuild a global order based on the values of respect for human rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The old norms of the rules based international order are being erased and that new system that will emerge ultimately is yet to be built. Global institutions have often been too slow to react to crises and too ineffective when they do. And this breakdown has been building over time."
Mr Carney is touring the Asia-Pacific, including Japan and India, with his Australia visit focused on strengthening ties between the two "middle powers."
**
To sport now and in soccer, an Iranian women's football team player has fought back tears, as she expressed her sadness at the ongoing conflict in her homeland.
Ahead of Thursday's Women's Asian Cup group game against the Matildas on the Gold Coast, Iranian striker Sara Didar spoke through an interpreter, becoming emotional when she relayed her concern for her nation and her teammates' families.
An internet blackout in Iran is making contact between players in Australia and their families increasingly difficult.
Iranian striker Sara Didar expressed hope that a strong game can offer some positivity for friends and family back home, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.
"Obviously we’re all concerned and sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran and our loved ones, but I really hope it’s very good for our country, to have good news ahead and I hope that my country would be strongly alive.”
