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‘Whatever it takes’: Trump says Iran operation could last a month or longer

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‘Whatever it takes’: Trump says Iran operation could last a month or longer

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suggested Monday that a war with Iran could last a month or longer.

“It’s OK,” he continued, “if even more time is needed to complete the operation,” dismissing potential readiness concerns, even as he said plans were ahead of schedule.

“We’ve already significantly exceeded our initial timeline.” But whatever the timing, it’s OK,” Trump said during a Medal of Honour ceremony at the White House honouring four service members killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes over the weekend. “Whatever it takes… From the beginning, we anticipated four to five weeks, but we can go much longer than that.”

He said a four-week plan to remove Iran’s military leadership had already been completed. “And as you know, it was done in about an hour,” he said. “Therefore, we’re significantly ahead of our original timeline.”

Trump listed four objectives for the US military campaign, known as “Epic Fury”: reducing Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying Iran’s navy, ensuring it could never obtain nuclear weapons and ensuring that Iran “cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside its borders”.

He said the army was prepared to continue operations “as long as necessary.”.

During his remarks, Trump also emphasised that he might lose interest in the conflict if it continued for “a week or two”, adding, “I don’t get bored.”

“There’s nothing boring about it,” Trump said.

He justified the timing of the strikes, saying it was “our last best chance” to target the threat from the Iranian regime after talks failed to reach an agreement last week.

“We thought we had an agreement and they backed out,” he said.

A senior Trump administration official said the talks took place in Geneva, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his US counterparts that Iran has an “indispensable right” to enrich uranium. He told NBC News in an interview on Sunday that they decided to attack when “they were not ready to stop their nuclear research.”

Other military leaders have said the war with Iran would not be “endless”, although the full scale and scope of the mission remain unclear. Trump has also issued different deadlines.

Trump has acknowledged the potential need for combat forces.

Earlier on Monday, Trump, in an interview, had ruled out the possibility of sending troops to Iran, suggesting the New York Post so that he can keep his shoes on the ground. He said that other leaders may have objections to doing this, but he does not.

“I have no objection to boots on the ground – as every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground. ‘I don’t say that,” Trump said.

In the same interview, when asked about the timeline, Trump predicted that the operation “is going to move very quickly.”

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The interests of America and Israel may soon diverge regarding Iran. Israel-Iran conflict

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The interests of America and Israel may soon diverge regarding Iran. Israel-Iran conflict

As the US-Israeli war over Iran heads for another disastrous day, pundits and politicians are eager to turn uncertainty into clear narratives that justify their long-held views. Israel talks about “transforming the Middle East”. The US talks about “protecting the American people”. Both parties consistently reiterate the concept of “regime change,” despite its uncertain prospects in the Iranian context.

So far, the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has failed to trigger the large-scale uprising within Iran that Israel and the US had called for. Meanwhile, pundits have consistently reiterated that a change in power cannot occur spontaneously.

Nevertheless, the outcome of the war is inevitable. So who is winning?

The immediate impulse is to assume victory for Israel and America. Finally, both countries pulled off a major surprise and appeared to be eliminating the Islamic Republic leadership from the air and sea. Apart from “Massacre,” what could be a bigger achievement than this one?

Given the EU’s weak responses and Asia’s absence from emerging events, the impression becomes stronger that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have won. Nobody appears capable of proposing a feasible substitute for the Israeli-American dominance.

I would like to suggest a different perspective on the current situation. In short, I propose that Netanyahu and Trump may have won the first round of hostilities, the most strategic and immediate round, although even this “victory” is questionable. This has happened because of the convergence of their extremely short-term interests. But this revived alliance’s life expectancy is as long as it takes for each party to exploit its successes for their own gain.

The first converging interest is political survival. In Israel, Netanyahu will have to distance himself from his leadership credentials and Israel’s serial failures in Gaza and the West Bank. While Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people continues, Israel is also finding that its complete control over Gaza is slipping away from its grip. So far, its efforts to prevent Turkey and Qatar from having any role have failed.

In the West Bank, the Israeli state and military are fully committed to aiding and abetting land theft and ethnic cleansing. Although most Israelis do not oppose it, their trust in state institutions continues to decline, which pretend to uphold the law while becoming completely politicised.

To ensure his political future, Netanyahu must look beyond these failures. A “victory” in Iran, the country most Israelis consider their most important enemy, should establish him, once again, as the only leader capable of defending Israel.

The prime minister is accompanied by the Israeli military, despite long-standing tensions between the government and the military over the past year. If Netanyahu is desperate to win, the army is even more desperate. Its high command wants to avoid being held solely responsible for the events of October 7, 2023, and is already demanding a significant increase in the budget. Only a “historic victory” would ensure military impunity.

In America, Trump is desperate not only to win but also to divert attention. His “heroism” in Venezuela has already been forgotten, while his “antics” recorded in the Epstein files echo more powerfully every day.

His use of “regime change” appears to be intentionally vague, open to any and all interpretations, allowing him to declare “mission accomplished” whenever he wants.

Trump is also keen to appear perfectly capable of supporting his vision of a world order, which involves only “making right”. The apparent contradiction between his “no foreign wars” commitment to his base and his pursuit of American exceptionalism and triumphalism is easily resolved when it comes to the Islamic Republic, a perennial quagmire.

All told, Trump and Netanyahu don’t trust each other. Neither side has anything other than an immediate interest in pursuing further cooperation.

Once the distractions stop, an uncertain war will break out between the two. There will be pressure on Trump to end the operation quickly, while Netanyahu will try to prolong it.

Trump lacks the attention and public support needed for a long war. He cannot keep “boots on the ground”, and this is the reason behind his repeated messages to “help” and “be there” for the Iranians when they took over his country. He is facing severe criticism at home not only for launching this war without Congressional approval but also for potential American casualties and the long commitment.

Just like Gaza, Netanyahu has no real plan except destruction and death. He wants the war to last as long as possible to keep out the opposition and ensure his political survival. It is no surprise that the official message about the war is that Israel will be in it “for as long as it takes” and that it will be “longer than the June War” and a “historic operation”. The more the rhetoric escalates, the more the campaign will become one of endless, indiscriminate bombing, and civilian casualties will increase.

This difference will become self-evident as the US and Israel gradually issue more spaced-out statements, each citing their own particular rationale and timeframe. Trump will continue to send his views as the Islamic Republic begins the constitutional process to elect a new supreme leader, meaning the Islamic Republic is still standing. Israel will remain deliberately vague as it describes its progress in glowing, nondescript terms like “true regime change”.

Wait for this unholy alliance to slowly grow and then rapidly collapse in the immediate time frame. His best victory is a terrible victory.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.

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Iran, the US, and Israel at War Attack Dubai, Tehran, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain Today’s Latest News Updates

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Iran, the US, and Israel at War Attack Dubai, Tehran, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain Today’s Latest News Updates

US-Iran War Live News Updates: The US-Israel war on Iran has witnessed a third day of intense escalation, with the Pentagon confirming the killing of three US service members in Kuwait, and President Trump vowing to continue the operation until the objectives are achieved. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and 40 top officials were killed in the attacks, after which Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US bases in the Gulf. US forces have struck more than 1,000 targets inside Iran, while Israel has issued orders to evacuate dozens of villages in southern Lebanon amid rising tensions with Hezbollah.

American war deaths: CENTCOM has confirmed that three US service members were killed and five seriously injured during “Operation Epic Fury.”

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Target on Tehran: Israeli forces are targeting the “heart” of the Iranian capital; Several explosions were reported near government districts. The Israel Defence Forces have also launched attacks on Beirut, the Lebanese capital and Hezbollah stronghold.

Provisional leadership: A 3-member Leadership Council (President Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Mohseni-Ezei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Arafi) now rules Iran in accordance with Article 111 of the Constitution.

Ultimatum to Gulf countries: Tehran has officially warned Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain that they are “legitimate military targets” if they assist Western forces.

Citizen Toll: Iranian news agency IRNA reported the death toll of 165 people after an attack on a primary school for girls in southern Iran (Minab).

Iran’s transitional power structure

Following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, President Massoud Pezeshkian announced a provisional leadership council. This body will perform the duties of the Supreme Leader until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.

Regional growth and economic impact

The “barrier” of retaliatory attacks from Iran has significantly disrupted the global landscape:

  • Aviation: Airspace is closed over much of the Middle East; the major hubs of Dubai and Doha report significant delays and security alerts.
  • market: Gold prices have soared above $5,200 an ounce as investors flocked to safe-haven assets.
  • Energy: Global oil markets are monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, following threats to maritime security.

This blog synthesises reports from CENTCOM, IRNA, and other news outlets. Although we strive for 100% accuracy, the situation on the ground in Tehran and the Gulf is extremely volatile.

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EU considers response to Middle East conflict as countries prepare to evacuate citizens – Europe Live

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EU considers response to Middle East conflict as countries prepare to evacuate citizens – Europe Live

Morning opening: EU meets to consider its response as countries consider feasibility of evacuation plans

A so-called “security college” of the European Commission is set to meet today as the EU considers its options given the escalating situation in the Middle East.

The bloc’s foreign ministers spoke in an online emergency meeting last night. The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warned later regarding the possibility of further tension in the area. He also stressed the importance of keeping vital waterways open, such as the Strait of Hormuz.

But many countries are also planning to evacuate some of their citizens from the region. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be stranded either in transit or on holiday in the wider affected area.

I will closely monitor their plans. As we can see, some countries are working in teams to evacuate their citizens from the area.

Life doesn’t stop all over Europe so I’ll bring you all the major updates from across the continent, including Emmanuel Macron’s much-anticipated speech on nuclear deterrence this afternoon.

For our main coverage of the Middle East, you can follow this blog:

It’s Monday, March 2, 2026. It’s Jacob Grace here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

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Is Sahara Desert Dust Secretly Feeding the Amazon? The science behind a 10,000-mile journey

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Is Sahara Desert Dust Secretly Feeding the Amazon? The science behind a 10,000-mile journey

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Is Sahara Desert Dust Secretly Feeding the Amazon? The science behind a 10,000 mile journey
About 27 million tons of Saharan dust delivers about 22,000 tons of phosphorus to the Amazon annually. Image: NASA

In 2015, scientists reported evidence that vast plumes of dust from the Sahara Desert help replenish phosphorus in the Amazon rainforest, linking the world’s largest desert to its largest rainforest in what researchers described as one of the planet’s most important natural nutrient transfers. the conclusions were detailed in the papers. Led by atmospheric scientist Hongbin Yu of the University of Maryland’s Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), who is working with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. results published in a geophysical research paper and in a related study on remote sensing of the environment.

10,000-mile-long atmospheric river

Scientists have known for decades that large plumes of Saharan dust travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean, creating giant grey clouds visible from space before settling over South America. In April 2015, NASA described this connection as a “10,000-mile-long intermittent atmospheric river of dust” connecting Africa and the Amazon basin. Using data from NASA’s Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation Satellite With CALIPSO, launched in 2006, Yu and colleagues first quantified how much dust completes the trans-Atlantic journey. According to the team, an average of 182 million tonnes of dust comes out of the Sahara every year. Of that, 27.7 million tonnes, about 15 per cent, are deposited annually in the Amazon basin. Another analysis reported the region to be 28.8 million tonnes. NASA compared the total to approximately 689,290 semi-truckloads of dust coming out of the desert and 104,908 semi-trucks full of dust dumped into the Amazon each year.

From Amazon to Sahara DesertThe lidar instrument aboard the Calypso satellite sends pulses of light that bounce off particles in the atmosphere and back to the satellite. It separates dust from other particles on the basis of optical properties. Credit: Scientific Visualization Studio, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

CALIPSO, which stands for “Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation,” uses a laser to look at the atmosphere and check how dust and other tiny particles are spread out vertically, allowing it to track the movement of the Sahara-Amazon plume in three dimensions from 200

Phosphorus: a missing nutrient

The Amazon rainforest is famous for its biodiversity, but it is also characterised by nutrient-poor soils. About 90 per cent of Amazon soil is deficient in phosphorus, a nutrient essential for plant growth. Heavy rainfall and river systems leach thousands of tonnes of nutrients, including phosphorus and nitrogen, out of the basin each year. Across the Atlantic, the Sahara has significant phosphorus reserves, particularly in the Bodele Depression in Chad, an ancient lake rich in the remains of long-dead microorganisms. Frequent dust storms from this region lift phosphorus-containing particles into the atmosphere. In a 2015 geophysical research paper, Yu and colleagues provided the first satellite-based estimate of how much phosphorus is transported within that dust. After analysing CALIPSO data with dust samples collected from research stations in Chad, Barbados and Miami, the team concluded that about 22,000 tonnes of phosphorus reach the Amazon annually from the Sahara.

Brazil's Lula sets forth new vision for protecting the Amazon rainforestAn aerial view of fishing boats of the Caju Una community fishing in Porto Stream, Marajó Island, Pará state, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)

This figure closely matches the estimated amount of phosphorus lost each year from the rainforest through hydrological processes. “It’s a small world, and we’re all connected,” Yu said at the time. The researchers wrote in the paper, “This suggests that African dust may have a significant impact on maintaining the health of the Amazon rainforest over the long term. Without phosphorus input from African dust, hydrological losses would greatly reduce soil phosphorus reserves on time scales of decades or centuries and affect the health and productivity of the Amazon rainforest.” However, he cautioned that uncertainties remain, noting that they still do not know “the amount of dust needed to provide enough phosphorus to maintain the productivity of the Amazon rainforest.”

Extreme Variability and Sahel Link

The researchers also found that the amount of dust transported across the Atlantic fluctuates rapidly from year to year. Between 2007 and 2011, there was an 86 per cent difference between the largest dust plume recorded in 2007 and the smallest dust plume in 2011. Yu and colleagues identified a possible link between precipitation and dust transport in the Sahel, a semi-arid region south of the Sahara. When rainfall increased in the Sahel, the amount of dust transported across the Atlantic was reduced.

Winds carrying sand from the Sahara desert have turned the sky and snow orange in parts of EuropeDust and sand blown from the Sahara Desert covered parts of Europe, turning the sky and snow orange.

The exact mechanism remains uncertain. Yu suggested that increased rainfall could promote vegetation growth in the Sahel, thereby reducing exposed soil available for wind erosion. Alternatively, the rainfall pattern may be related to wind systems that lift dust into the upper atmosphere, which acts as a transportation corridor toward the Americas. “We know that dust is very important in many complex ways,” Yu said. “Dust affects climate and at the same time, climate change will affect dust as well.” He added, “As researchers, we ask ourselves two basic questions: ‘How much dust is transported? And how does climate change affect the amount of dust traveling across the Atlantic?'”

ScienceCast: Desert dust nourishes Amazon forests

a global earth system connection

Each individual dust particle measures only a fraction of the width of a human hair, yet collectively they create one of the largest intercontinental material transfers on Earth. The work of Yu and colleagues highlighted the extent to which distant ecosystems remain interconnected through atmospheric processes. By measuring the total amount of dust and its phosphorus content, studies from 2015 showed that the Sahara helps keep the Amazon rainforest’s nutrients balanced over time, even as scientists look into how changes in climate might impact this important exchange across the Atlantic.

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At least three killed, 14 injured in Texas bar shooting, possible terror ties American news

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At least three killed, 14 injured in Texas bar shooting, possible terror ties American news

A shooting at a bar in Texas has claimed the lives of at least three people, including the alleged gunman.

The FBI is investigating whether the shooting was an act of terrorism.

Authorities say 14 others were injured after the incident in Central Austin. The FBI is investigating whether the shooting was an act of terrorism due to “indicators” found on the gunman and his vehicle.

But FBI agent Alex Doran said, “It’s still too early to make any decisions.”

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told reporters early Sunday that her force received a report of a “male shooting” just before 2 a.m. at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West Sixth Street, a popular nightlife destination in the city’s entertainment district filled with bars and music clubs.

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Photo: AP
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. Photo: AP
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Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. Photo: AP

Ms. Davis said the suspect, who was driving an SUV, drove past the bar several times before putting on the vehicle’s indicators, opening his window, and “shooting up.” [through the open window] With a pistol, striking patrons in the bar’s courtyard and in front of the bar.”

The suspect then parked the car and “got out of his car with a rifle and started shooting at people passing by”.

When police arrived at the scene, they found a man with a gun and three officers “returned fire, killing the suspect” at an intersection.

Ms. Davis said they were lucky because there were a number of officers nearby at the time, and as the bars were closing, they were “able to get here quickly.”

Robert Luckritz, the chief of Emergency Medical Services, reported that they found three people dead at the scene and transported the injured to hospitals. The condition of three of the injured is critical.

Photo: AP
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Photo: AP

Mr. Luckritz said he received “a call” at 1.39 a.m., and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on the scene actively treating patients.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the quick responses of police and rescue workers, saying that they “definitely saved lives.”

Read more on Sky News:
Olympian condemns ‘fake’ video
Clinton ‘saw nothing’

Police have not released the identity of the gunman.

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Senator Tom Cotton says there is “no simple answer” to who will lead Iran now

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Senator Tom Cotton says there is “no simple answer” to who will lead Iran now

Senator Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Sunday that there is “no easy answer” to who will lead Iran. Death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a large-scale US-Israeli military operation a day before.

“I don’t think anyone can give you a simple answer to that,” Cotton said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan”. “There’s probably a lot of friction going on inside Iran right now; they have a very consultative, deliberative process to replace the supreme leader. That’s why he didn’t want to have a clear succession plan.”

The US and Israel launched a major military operation inside Iran on Saturday, which continued on Sunday. Iranian state media said at least 200 people were killed in the country, while Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and allies in the Middle East, killing at least six people in Israel and one in Abu Dhabi and wounding dozens of others.

President Trump said Saturday that 86-year-old Khamenei, who had ruled Iran as supreme leader since 1989 and was only the second person to hold the role, was among those killed. The Israel Defence Forces said at a news conference on Saturday that seven Iranian officers and commanders were killed, including Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in January that “I don’t think anyone can give you a simple answer to what happens next in Iran if the supreme leader and the regime fall, other than the hope that they have someone within their system who has the ability to work toward an equitable transition.”

Cotton said Sunday that Rubio was “right.”

Asked about Rubio’s comments, Cotton said Sunday that Rubio is “right”, but also said he expected there to be a situation like Venezuela, where Delsey Rodriguez was sworn in as president shortly after the U.S. captured then-President Nicolas Maduro.

Cotton said the US would continue to attack Iran’s “military capabilities, and we will continue to attack the senior leadership, the Ayatollahs.”

But when pressed by Brennan to identify who the new leadership would be, Cotton responded by saying it should come from “the opposition,” which he defined as “the 90 million Iranians who have suffered under the brutal Islamic Republic’s revolutionary regime for the past 47 years.”

Cotton insisted there would be no “large-scale ground forces” inside Iran, despite Mr Trump saying on Saturday there could be American casualties as part of the military operation.

“The president has no plans for any kind of massive ground force inside Iran,” Cotton told Brennan.

Cotton underlined that “one risk” of an “extended air and naval operation” is that “a plane could be shot down, and the President would never leave a pilot behind. So there is no doubt that we have combat search and rescue assets in the area ready to go in and extract any downed pilots.”

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Fans share whether Meghan and Harry should do more ‘royal tours’. Royal | news

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Fans share whether Meghan and Harry should do more ‘royal tours’. Royal | news

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Since stepping down from royal duties and moving to the US in 2020,

the couple have taken several trips that have been compared to royal trips and tours, as they are similar in nature. As well as their short visit to Jordan, the pair also made an on-screen appearance at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, an appearance which also reflected on the work of the working royals.

In a poll conducted by the Daily Express, which ran between 9.30 a.m. on February 26 and 3.30 p.m. on March 1, fans were asked whether they would like to see Meghan and Harry do more trips, like “royal tours.”

Only 212 out of 8,396 people voted [3 per cent] that they would like to see the couple on more “royal tours”.

A staggering 8,163 people [97 percent] Polled who they would not like to see the pair on “royal tours”, with an additional 21 people [zero percent] Sharing that they weren’t sure how they felt about more “royal visits”.

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One fan commented in the comments section: “They’re not royal so they can’t do royal trips.”

Another said, ‘Never. He decided to go.

A third commented, ‘No, they’re not royal.’

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Politics Live: Penny Wong warns Australians of ‘severe travel disruption’ due to Iran conflict; NSW to review hospital maintenance after fungus and bird lice outbreaks

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Politics Live: Penny Wong warns Australians of ‘severe travel disruption’ due to Iran conflict; NSW to review hospital maintenance after fungus and bird lice outbreaks

SmartTraveller tells Australians not to travel to most countries in the Middle East

SmartTraveler has updated its list of countries not to travel to in the Middle East as conflict escalates in the region.

Countries include:

Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

The website says Australians should reconsider travelling to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement this morning, the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, said Australians should expect travel disruption.

We understand that these circumstances will be a challenging time for many people, especially those who have family in the area or are planning a visit.

The Albany Government’s priority is the safety and security of Australians. We will continue to support Australians as they navigate the disruption ahead, providing regular travel advice updates and consular assistance where we can, mindful that there are limits to what any government can do in a fast-moving and uncertain environment.

Wong warned that travellers outside the Middle East should also expect some disruptions.

The statement said Australians should:

  • Ensure to closely monitor events and local media.

  • Contact their travel agent or airlines directly to confirm their plans.

  • Review their travel insurance to understand what is covered in the event of cancellation.

  • Follow SmartReveler for the latest advice and subscribe for updates.

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Insects, fungus, bird lice: NSW announces review of ‘serious’ hospital maintenance issues

As mentioned earlier, State Health Minister Ryan Park announced overnight that NSW Health was conducting a rapid review of “serious hospital maintenance issues.”.

The ongoing review so far has identified 112 “non-routine” issues, Park said. Their statement acknowledged cases of mosquitoes, crickets, beetles, and a possum, as well as mould, asbestos, and leaky roofs at several hospitals—and added other issues to the list, including flies, birds, cockroaches, pigeons, bird survival, and more possums.

In a highly critical statement on Sunday, Sarah Michelle, the shadow health minister, expressed her fear that these issues were just the beginning.

Patients go to the hospital for treatment and care so that they are not put in further danger due to toxic mould or conditions caused by bird droppings and dead pigeons in ceiling cavities and air conditioning units.

Hygiene is paramount in hospitals, and my heart aches for the families that have lost loved ones due to these diseases.

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America and Israel will have to explain the legal ‘basis’ for the strikes: Wong

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia has no involvement in the attack on Iran, and the nuclear program cannot continue to be at risk.

Sticking to his interview with ABC News Breakfast, Wong says he has not spoken to his American counterpart, Marco Rubio. And “hopefully not,” because Australia plays a peripheral role in the region, she says.

She avoids the legality of the attacks, saying Israel and the US must clarify:

One difference between Iraq then and now is that we are not participating in these attacks. This is the first point I would make. Second, I said that its legal basis is to convince the United States and Israel.

We clearly oppose the intelligence that both the United States and Israel are citing in their decisions. Therefore, it is their job to explain its legal basis. We support action taken to ensure that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.

Wong was asked if we would see regime change after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. She says that regardless of the US president, it should be up to the Iranian people. donald trump Want regime change:

The future of Iran is in the hands of the Iranian people. History teaches us that external forces cannot permanently impose regime change.

Regarding Ayatollah Khamenei, as you said, no one will mourn his death. This is the leader who is responsible for brutally killing his people.

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115,000 Australians in the Middle East region

As Australians are warned not to travel to the Middle East, Penny Wong says there are about 115,000 Australians in the region, and about 11,000 regularly travel to and from Australia on Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast this morning, Wong says Australians will get home quickest if the government can help people get on commercial flights instead of repatriating.

Wong says there are currently no flights to take Australians home:

The government is currently unable to help in situations where flights are cancelled, disrupted, and their locations are closed.

First we have to see whether commercial flights will resume. Given the number of people in the area, facilitating commercial flights will help them reach home the quickest. Right now, the issue is not who is flying; the issue is that nobody is flying.

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SmartTraveller tells Australians not to travel to most countries in the Middle East

SmartTraveler has updated its list of countries not to travel to in the Middle East as conflict escalates in the region.

Countries include:

Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

The website says Australians should reconsider travelling to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement this morning, the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, said Australians should expect travel disruption.

We understand that these circumstances will be a challenging time for many people, especially those who have family in the area or are planning a visit.

The Albany Government’s priority is the safety and security of Australians. We will continue to support Australians as they navigate the disruption ahead, providing regular travel advice updates and consular assistance where we can, mindful that there are limits to what any government can do in a fast-moving and uncertain environment.

Wong warned that travellers outside the Middle East should also expect some disruptions.

The statement said Australians should:

  • Ensure to closely monitor events and local media.

  • Contact their travel agent or airlines directly to confirm their plans.

  • Review their travel insurance to understand what is covered in the event of cancellation.

  • Follow SmartReveler for the latest advice and subscribe for updates.

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Good morning, Krishna Dhanji. I am here with you for a very busy day ahead.

There will be considerable domestic reaction to the emerging situation in Iran and the Middle East with the External Affairs Minister. Penny Wong issued a statement this morning warning Australians about travel disruptions. Wong and the Defense Minister, Richard Marles: We’ll bring you the government’s media discussion interviews as they come.

As mentioned earlier, the House of Representatives is going to look quite different today, Angus Taylor. Angus Taylor will be seated in the opposition leader’s chair for the first time after his removal. Susan Le. His new-look front bench will also sit with him.

I’ve got my coffee; I hope you’ve got yours. Let’s get straight to it.

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House prices flatline in Sydney and Melbourne

Cosiness: The latest home value index shows homes in Sydney and Melbourne have stabilised, with even midsized capitals recording bumper monthly gains. Perth continues to be the country’s best performer, with prices rising 27.1% over the past year.

Housing values ​​increased 2.3% in February alone, bringing the average home up by more than $22,500. Brisbane and Adelaide are also performing better, with growth of 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively.

In contrast, Sydney and Melbourne saw zero growth in average homes over the month, a quarter of the slight decline.

Director of Research at Quotality, Tim Lawless, described the “two-speed situation” as extraordinary, saying that the property markets of major and medium-sized capitals had been diverging for years. He said low supply and high demand are leading to huge profits in other capitals.

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Welcome

Good morning and welcome to Guardian Australia’s politics live blog.

The federal parliament is sitting. Anthony Albanese completed 30 years in politics: Angus Taylor. This weekend marks his first week in Canberra as the opposition leader. The coalition is expected to press Labour for the return of women and children held in a camp in Syria, as well as changes to capital gains taxes on investment properties.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has warned Australians to expect “severe travel disruption” in the coming days due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, including changes to routes to Europe at short notice. In a statement this morning, his office said, “Many Australians in the Middle East are unable to travel due to airspace closures, including major transit hubs.”

As New South Wales prepares for budget estimates, the state’s Health Minister, Ryan Park, has ordered a rapid review of “serious” hospital maintenance issues, including cockroaches, possums, and bird lice, as well as mould, roof leaks, and asbestos.

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After Khamenei, missile attacks continue amid defiance of Iranian leaders. Israel-Iran conflict news

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After Khamenei, missile attacks continue amid defiance of Iranian leaders. Israel-Iran conflict news

Tehran, Iran – Major airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Tehran and other cities continue as the Iranian establishment considers its future while launching projectiles across the region.

The capital was rocked several times Sunday after a series of attacks in several neighbourhoods, with the Israeli military saying military centres were also the targets. Iranian officials have largely avoided discussing missile impacts, and Internet connectivity remained almost completely blocked for a second day.

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After Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top commanders were killed in Tehran at the start of the war on Saturday, the Islamic Republic’s remaining top officials are insisting that the democratic establishment has a clear path forward based on its internal mechanisms.

According to laws enacted after the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution, a clerical body called the Assembly of Experts is tasked with selecting the next supreme leader.

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said that a new leadership council “has begun its work”

following Khamenei’s death. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, informed Al Jazeera that the process should conclude in a few days.

A three-member council will rule until that time.

As council members, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ezei and President Pezeshkian have vowed continuity. In a video address earlier Sunday, Pezeshkian called on pro-regime supporters to gather in mosques and on major city streets despite the war.

The third member was announced on Sunday as Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a clerical member of the powerful constitutional watchdog known as the Guardian Council. The Expediency Council, an arbitration body, was tasked with selecting jurisprudence experts for the new council.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was founded after the 1979 revolution and has since become a major military and economic power, is also expected to play a key role.

Mohammad Pakpour, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the IRGC less than a year ago after his predecessor was assassinated during the 12-day war with Israel, was killed on Saturday. Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defence Council chief Ali Shamkhani and police intelligence chief Gholam-Reza Rezaian.

The IRGC vowed revenge and launched “the heaviest offensive campaign in the history of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic against the occupied lands”. [a reference to Israel] And bases of American terrorists ”.

Army chief Amir Hatami also promised to continue defending the country, as the military claimed its warplanes bombed US targets across the region without providing footage.

Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said his forces are ready to fight for “public security” as the US and Israel have openly called on Iranians to protest in the streets with the goal of overthrowing the regime in the near future.

Another key figure in the Islamic republic’s power structure, security chief Ali Larijani, supported a constitutional process to decide the future leadership while reaching out to the country as it grapples with incoming Iranian missiles and drones.

In a post in Arabic on Twitter, he said Tehran does not want to attack its neighbours but considers US bases in those countries “US territory”. He also issued a separate all-caps post in English, saying, “Today we will attack them with a force they have never experienced before.”

The IRGC’s top commander and former security chief Ali Akbar Ahmadian, who served as Khamenei’s appointed representative on the Supreme Defence Council, vowed that the body would continue its work despite the killing of its top members, including Shamkhani. The council was formed to strengthen defence strategies following last June’s war with Israel, when Iran suffered heavy damage from Israeli and US bombing of its nuclear and military sites.

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of founding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, also praised the 86-year-old Khamenei after his assassination, calling him “a hero of the Iranian people and Muslims around the world.”

Khomeini, a relatively moderate cleric, is among those whom Western media have said are likely to become the next supreme leader. Khomeini has not addressed the issue but stressed on Sunday that protecting “the sacred establishment of the Islamic Republic” is of paramount importance.

Former President Hassan Rouhani, who last week denied being part of a power grab at the height of January’s nationwide protests, said he supports the transitional council, the armed forces and the government in an effort to preserve the establishment.

Former President Mohammad Khatami condemned Khamenei’s assassination, calling it an attempt to harm Iran’s “independence and unity”. He also reiterated his previous call for reforms to frustrate the “enemies” of the religious establishment.

Controversial populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, was killed along with several bodyguards after being targeted by Israel, some local media reports said. The state-linked Iranian Labour News Agency on Sunday, citing a knowledgeable source, denied that he was dead but did not elaborate.

Several videos from the scene of Saturday’s attacks on 72 Square in the Narmak neighbourhood of eastern Tehran showed the area where Ahmadinejad resided being targeted. A school in the same area was damaged and at least two children were killed, according to local officials, who said separately that another school strike in the city of Minab in southern Iran killed more than 150 people, many of them children.

As US and Israeli officials promise to continue attacking Iran for days or weeks, using hundreds of warplanes to target state officials, it remains to be seen where the balance of power lies inside Iran.

For now, Iranian officials are united in mourning Khamenei, who held on to power without challenge for 36 years.

The government has declared seven days of public holidays and 40 days of mourning and held large gatherings in Khamenei’s memory, including on Sunday night.

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