Middle East war updates: Anthony Albanese calls for de-escalation as Israel strikes Iran with ‘full force’

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O’Brien has called for calm in the Middle East as flare ups continue on the 100th day of the US-Israeli-Iran conflict.

Mr O’Brien said “Iran cannot continue to threaten its neighbours” and “hold the world economy hostage”.

“For stability to be restored, a successful deal must be reached that reopens global fuel supply, guarantees regional security and ensures Iran cannot continue to threaten its neighbours and hold the world economy hostage,” he said.

“No one wants to see the conflict escalate or the fuel crisis deepen, but this is an extremely volatile and fast-moving situation.

“It is in Australia’s interest to see the conflict end and the Strait of Hormuz reopened, just as it is in the world’s interest to ensure Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed his call for “de-escalation” as fighting between Israel and Iran continues, testing a fragile ceasefire and intensifying global concerns. Despite renewed missile exchanges and mounting economic fallout from the conflict, Albanese said Australia’s position has remained consistent throughout.

He defended the government’s early support for US-led strikes, arguing they were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. “Iran can’t be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. That was the position that we took,” he said. “That’s the right position.”

Albanese stressed the urgent need for the conflict to end, repeating calls for both de-escalation and a clear pathway out of the war. “We’ve called for a clear exit plan out of this… This needs to conclude,” he said.

Read more here.

Several explosions were reported to be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

The BBC reported that it was unclear if the explosions were related to Israel’s latest attacks.

Meanwhile, the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed it has launched a missile attack on a petrochemical plant in Haifa, northern Israel, according to a statement reported by Iranian Tasnim news agency.

It warned Israel has started a “dangerous game” and further attacks on non-military and energy targets in the region would have consequences for the global economy.

Earlier today, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said Iran had launched another wave of missiles towards Israel, with defence systems activated to “intercept the threat.”

Israel’s emergency services have since confirmed that “no casualties are known” at this stage.

An Iranian official has warned that the United States is “responsible for the consequences of any escalation” in the Middle East caused by Israel, according to AP.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei made the comment in a briefing with journalists on Monday in Tehran.

“No one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without coordination with the United States,” Baghaei said.

“The United States bears responsibility for the Israeli regime’s aggression, and it will also be responsible for the consequences of any escalation in tensions.”

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has stated that Iran has launched missiles towards Israel “a short while ago.”

“Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat” and members of the public living “in the relevant areas” have been alerted, it added in a statement.

A warning to people in affected areas across Israel has been issued, urging them to take shelter as a third barrage of missiles incoming from Iran.

The Iran-backed rebels said that Israel-affiliated vessels would be a target in the Red Sea according to AP.

The statement from Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree was broadcast on the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel.

The Houthis have continually attacked Israeli ships travelling through the Red Sea throughout the conflict.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has targeted two Israeli air bases in Nevatim and Tel Nof, according to Iranian state media.

The Islamic Republic News Agency reports the IRGC as saying the operation was carried out in response to missiles Israel had fired “against several radar sites in three locations” in Iran according to the BBC.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has branded the escalation in the Middle East “incredibly unhelpful” after Israel and Iran exchanged fire just days after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.

“We want the ceasefire to hold and a long term peace to be negotiated and agreed to so that the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened and resources can flow to and from that region,” Mr Conroy told the ABC.

“That’s critical to the global economy. And, all parties need to take a breath, de-escalate and find a solution to what’s occurring there.”

He said it was “very clear that the ceasefire is tenuous and that is challenging for all of us”.

“But we just continue to call for everyone to return to the negotiating table, find a long-term solution, de-escalate,” he said.

​​Read more​​

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched strikes on “several targets” at an Iranian petrochemical facility in in Mahshahr.

The IDF and Iranian state media have both confirmed the attack, with Iranian outlets saying the complex near the northern coast of the Persian Gulf had been partially damaged.

Iranian media stated more details on damage and “possible casualties” will be announced later.