The conflict, which began just over a week ago, has escalated at an unprecedented scale, according to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Iran's reprisal attacks are targeting twelve countries across the region, from Cyprus through to the Gulf, with the United Arab Emirates alone forced to shoot down over 1,500 rockets and drones, Albanese said. In response, Australia will deploy an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Gulf for an initial four weeks to help protect Australians and other civilians, providing long-range reconnaissance capability. The Prime Minister also stated Australia intends to provide advanced medium-range Air-to-Air missiles to the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the international dimensions of the crisis.
This regional war was triggered on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other officials, according to multiple reports. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US bases in the region, including with missiles and drones. The initial attack forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil supply passes, according to research, severely disrupting global energy markets.
During an interview with Sarah Ferguson on ABC's 7.30 on Monday night, Albanese said that while the US had achieved two of its main objectives in Iran - it had failed to break apart the Gulf state's regime.
The human toll of the conflict remains difficult to ascertain with precision due to conflicting reports. Iranian state media claims hundreds of people have died across the Middle East, with more than 940 killed by Israeli and American strikes and 11 in Israel from Iran's retaliation. However, other research indicates more than 1,800 people have been killed so far, including 8 U.S. service members and at least 175 students killed by a reported U.S. strike on an Iranian elementary school. The U.S. government has identified six service members killed, with at least five deaths occurring when a drone struck a port in Kuwait, according to multiple reports.
In Washington, top Trump administration officials told lawmakers to expect an 'overwhelming' and bigger wave of military strikes on Iran in the coming days. The U.S. military has already been active, with the U.S. torpedoing an Iranian ship in international waters in the Indian Ocean, among 20 vessels the U.S. military says it has struck, according to research. Meanwhile, the GOP-led Senate rejected a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Trump's ability to carry out further military action against Iran, according to multiple reports.
The president said at the beginning of this conflict that it was about three things: it was about nuclear weapons and making sure that Iran can't get a nuclear weapon; secondly, he wanted to damage Iran's capabilities to attack its neighbours or to assist its proxies in Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis - and others as well; but the third was regime change.
Australia has adopted a cautious diplomatic stance, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pushing back against Donald Trump's complaint that Australia is not helping sufficiently in the war against Iran, according to research from nine sources. Albanese stressed that Australia wants to see the conflict de-escalate and end, noting its massive global economic impact. Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said his chief concern was the lack of clarity about the direction and aims of the conflict as its economic effects continue to strain Australian budgets, especially regarding the skyrocketing price of fuel. He added that he wants to see more certainty in what the objectives of the war are, and a de-escalation, which is in the global economy's interests.
Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and is not deploying troops on the ground in Iran, Albanese confirmed. The country's involvement is focused on protection and support, with more than 2,600 Australians having returned home from the Middle East, and DFAT personnel providing consular support. There are around 115,000 Australians in the Middle East, with around 24,000 in the UAE, and more than 20,000 Australians based in the UAE alone, according to the Prime Minister.
I note the president today has said that there has been a regime change.
Iran's escalating retaliation has hit U.S. sites, travel hubs, and oil facilities across the Persian Gulf, according to research. The country has launched waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, with reports that casualties are higher than Tel Aviv claims. To bolster its forces, Iran has received MiG-29 Su-35 fighter jets and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia, according to multiple reports, indicating significant external military support that could prolong the conflict.
Conflicting narratives surround the legal and strategic justification for the war. Legal expert Susan M. Akram stated that the US-Israeli attacks on Iran cannot be legally justified under any theory of the laws of war. Concurrently, Trump administration officials have offered various and conflicting explanations for starting the war, according to research, highlighting uncertainty and potential illegitimacy in the war's justification. President Trump himself has issued conflicting statements on U.S. military objectives and the trajectory of the conflict, according to multiple reports, adding to the opacity surrounding Washington's endgame.
Well, there certainly has been a change in personnel but the structures of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and the way that they engage is still largely in place.
Military incidents have included reports of friendly fire. In the first two days of fighting, at least three US jets have been shot down, with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense stating 'several' US warplanes crashed over their territory. The United States claims that the jets were shot down by friendly fire, presenting a disputed account of early combat losses.
The conflict's regional impacts extend beyond direct combat. Sri Lanka's navy rescued 32 people after a distress call from an Iranian navy ship, the IRIS Dena, and recovered 87 bodies, with about 60 others unaccounted for. Iranian state media reported that the government is delaying public mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reflecting the disruption caused by the sudden leadership vacuum and ongoing hostilities.
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said his chief concern was the lack of clarity about the direction and aims of the conflict as its economic effects continue to strain Australian budgets, especially regarding the skyrocketing price of fuel.
Economic consequences have been immediate and severe. Brent crude rose nearly 6% to settle at $US108, and the average price of petrol in the US was poised to tip over $US4 a gallon, according to research. New York sharemarkets had their worst day since the conflict began, with the Nasdaq falling 2.38%. In response to the global energy shock, the International Energy Agency released four hundred million barrels from its strategic reserve, according to multiple reports.
Iran's strategic objectives, according to research, are to exact a cost against the US and Israel great enough to secure a durable peace, suggesting a long-term calculation rather than a mere retaliatory spasm.
I want to see more certainty in what the objectives of the war are, and I want to see a de-escalation.
Regarding Iran's nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency said it did not have access to ensure Iran's nuclear program was exclusively peaceful, but there was no evidence of a structured nuclear weapons program at the time of the strikes. This assessment raises questions about one of the stated justifications for the initial attack.
The conflict, which began on February 28, shows little sign of ending, with the Pentagon reportedly planning to send more troops to the Middle East and conduct raids near the Strait of Hormuz, according to major_media. This suggests a protracted military engagement with no clear resolution in sight.
A de-escalation is in the global economy's interests.
Unresolved questions persist about the specific and clear military objectives of the US and its allies, as well as the exact number of casualties on all sides. The current status of the Strait of Hormuz—whether it is fully closed, partially operational, or under what conditions—also remains unclear, directly impacting global oil shipments.
Further uncertainties surround what diplomatic efforts, if any, are currently underway to de-escalate the conflict, and who is involved. The timeline or conditions for the end of the conflict, and whether any negotiations or peace talks are planned, are not publicly defined, leaving the region in a state of dangerous flux.
Albanese also referenced Trump's goal of regime change, warning external military action often escalates nationalism and can entrench rather than weaken authoritarian governments.
Well, it is a fact that the personnel have changed. I think that was what the president was referring to but he can speak for himself.
I want to see regime change in Iran to be very clear. This is an abhorrent regime that oppress its own people, that murder its own people, that engage in international terrorism.
Albanese further reiterated that he would be pushing for a de-escalation of the war.
Conflict always has a price and the conflict has achieved its objectives that were outlined at the beginning. I think people want to see an endpoint.
Australia was not great in assisting the US in the war against Iran.
Australia was not consulted before the conflict began.
There is no request being made to Australia that has not been agreed to.
Trump called Britain's aircraft carriers 'not the best' and 'toys compared to what we have'.
Albanese stressed that Australia wants to see the conflict de-escalate and end, noting its massive global economic impact.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy may escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.