US–Iran war live updates: Donald Trump to hit Iran ‘20 times harder’ if oil flow stops within Strait of Hormuz

Nationals leader David Littleproud has sensationally announced his resignation from the position saying he is “buggered” but proud of what he has achieved.

Following the leadership turmoil in the Liberal Party earlier this year, Mr Littleproud says it’s time to transition to a new leader for the Nationals.

Standing with his wife, and choking back tears, he said he would continue to serve as the Member for Maranoa.

The Australian Federal Police has confirmed it has been working with Home Affairs since Saturday to help protect the Iranian women’s football team, thanking the community for their assistance over 72 hours.

“For the past 72 hours the AFP has been providing assistance to Home Affairs in relation to the Iranian women’s football team under Op Harbour,” the statement said.

“The AFP has long and enduring relationships with the Iranian diaspora through the AFP’s Community Liaison Teams.

“The AFP acknowledges the community leaders, not-for-profit groups and ordinary Australians for their assistance and advocacy in this matter.”

The statement was released as the players and team made their way to the airport, where those who have not been granted asylum are expected to be forced onto flights.

A bus carrying members of the Iranian women’s football team has left a Gold Coast hotel, believed to be heading to the airport.

Protesters attempted to stop the bus but were moved on.

Before the bus departed, Sky News reported that two suitcases may have been removed.

Protesters outside the hotel fear that the remaining team members will be forced to fly home to Iran, where they have been labelled as traitors.

US President Donald Trump said overnight that it would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if the players were “forced back to Iran, saying they would “most likely be killed”.

Only five players have been granted asylum after escaping from their hotel late on Monday.

Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson says he supports Australia’s decision to deploy military assets to the Middle East, and agrees it will not undermine the nation’s ability to defend its own security interests.

The Coalition has backed the Government’s decision to send military support to the United Arab Emirates, with Senator Paterson saying the move serves Australia’s national interest and provides an opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to “learn the lessons of modern warfare”.

“When your friends ask you for help. If you’re able to help, you should help. And there’s no question that the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states are our friends,” he said.

“It’s in Australia’s national interest or the waterways around the Gulf, and to the airspace above the goal to be cleared as soon as possible. If they can be clear, that will allow the resumption of the flow of oil through the Gulf and Australians to leave the Gulf who wish to come home on regular scheduled commercial flights.“

“Finally, this is an opportunity for us to learn the lessons of modern warfare … To be assisting in the interdiction of those drones and missiles is an opportunity to learn about this modern form of conflict and to bring those lessons home.“

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has also addressed the situation involving members of Iran’s women’s national football team who are seeking asylum in Australia.

“I want to make a comment on a very human story we have seen in the last 24 hours.”

“We have seen asylum offered to the five Iranian women soccer players and we welcome this development.”

He praised the players for their courage in standing up to the Iranian Government.

“These women are standing up against the regime I just described with enormous courage, and I think that has captured the imagination of the Australian people.”

“Every reasonable Australian would want a good outcome for their safety and for their future.”

However, Mr Taylor said asylum decisions must follow Australia’s legal framework and national interests.

“It is also important to point out, as always with asylum-seeking cases, that there are two principles that need to guide those decisions.”

“One is that they comply with Australian law and the other is that it must be in the national interest.

“We will stand up for freedom abroad and we will stand up to offer safety to those who genuinely need it.

“But we will always do so in a way that protects our national interest and our way of life.”

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Speaking in Canberra, Mr Taylor framed the situation as part of a broader effort to protect Australian values and security.

“When I first came into this role as Leader of the Opposition I said there would be two top priorities for us: one is restoring Australian standards of living and the other is protecting our way of life.”

Mr Taylor said recent events had highlighted both the brutality of Iran’s regime and the willingness of allies to stand up to it.

“In the spirit of protecting our way of life, we have seen just in recent days two very clear developments. On the one hand, the extreme brutality of the Iranian regime and the strength of the nations that are prepared to stand up to this regime.”

Mr Taylor said the Coalition backed the Government’s decision to assist allied nations in the Middle East.

“What we see today are allies working against this despotic regime and we very much welcome the decision announced by the government to support our allies in their work against this regime.”

“In particular the Wedgetail aircraft and the missiles announced — this is something we strongly support from the Coalition.”

“We must stand with our allies against those who do not accept our values and who are against life — and that is certainly this Iranian regime.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued fresh stats about Operation Epic Fury summarising efforts in the first 10 days.

The updates confirmed that over 5000 sites have been struck with an array of different military assets, including: B-1 bombs, B-2 stealth bombers, LUCAS drones, F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, F-35s, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft and “special capabilities” the US Government refused to list.

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if it does a single thing that stops the flow of oil through the key Strait of Hormuz, the country will respond harder than it ever has.

“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation,” Mr Trump said after earlier revealing the US had left strategic energy sites that could be destroyed later, if needed.

“Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Mr Trump continues.

“This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait.

“Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has travelled by helicopter to a navy ship in the Mediterranean to meet with naval personnel as conflict in the Middle East rages.

Mr Macron could be seen being welcomed on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, before going below deck to meet and speak to the crew.

The carrier had been deployed following the first US-Israeli strike in Iran.

“We are putting ourselves in a position to last,” Mr Macron said on board the ship. He predicted the carrier may be in place for several weeks. After that, it could be moved to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Albanese Government will convene an urgent roundtable in Canberra amid concerns over the impact the US-Israel-Iran war has had on fuel reserves.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Tuesday sought to assure the public that Australia’s fuel reserves remain at pre-war levels despite rising prices at the pump caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Global oil prices saw a dramatic reversal overnight, plunging from a peak of $US120 to $US90 per barrel as market volatility continues.

The sharp decline has sparked immediate calls from consumer advocacy groups and motorists for Australian service stations to pass these savings on to the bowser.

Speaking alongside the Prime Minister in Canberra on Tuesday, Mr Bowen said he, with Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins and Industry Minister Tim Ayres, would meet with peak bodies representing affected industries.

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