US-Iran war live updates: Israel to strike Lebanon ‘in coming hours’ as Bahrain oil refinery up in flames

RECAP: The IDF has warned residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate, saying it will ‘operate forcefully’ against Hezbollah in the coming hours, as Bahrain’s national oil refinery is pictured in flames.

Katherine Kraayvanger, Kimberley Braddish, Maddie Cove and Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
Donald Trump has stated he wants direct involvement in selecting Iran's next supreme leader following the death of Ali Khamenei in recent strikes.

THE NIGHTLY: Read the recap of events below.

Key events

09 Mar 2026 - 08:28 PM

Iranian team offered protection by Australia after protest

09 Mar 2026 - 07:38 PM

Israel begins ‘wide-scale’ strikes on Iran’s cities

09 Mar 2026 - 07:24 PM

No negotiations while Iran is under attack: Foreign Ministry

09 Mar 2026 - 07:05 PM

Vladimir Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamanei after election

09 Mar 2026 - 06:14 PM

One person killed by missile strike in Israel

09 Mar 2026 - 06:10 PM

Emmanuel Macron: G7 could dip into strategic oil reserves amid skyrocketing energy prices

09 Mar 2026 - 06:04 PM

Decision to end war to be ‘mutual’ between US and Israel: Trump

09 Mar 2026 - 05:45 PM

China voices support for Iranian sovereignty after new Supreme Leader appointed

09 Mar 2026 - 05:27 PM

Beirut infrastructure struck, says IDF

09 Mar 2026 - 05:20 PM

Ukraine sent drones to US bases, Zelensky says

09 Mar 2026 - 04:53 PM

New round of missiles launched towards Israel, UAE

09 Mar 2026 - 03:52 PM

Drones intercepted over Saudi Arabia

09 Mar 2026 - 03:42 PM

New Supreme Leader ‘wounded’ in war: Revolutionary Guard

09 Mar 2026 - 03:34 PM

IDF issues ‘urgent’ warning to southern Lebanon residents

09 Mar 2026 - 03:27 PM

Senior ADF source confirms Australian Army preparing for war

09 Mar 2026 - 02:25 PM

Bahrain declares ‘force majeure’ on oil refinery operations

09 Mar 2026 - 02:11 PM

Video shows Bahrain oil refinery up in smoke

09 Mar 2026 - 01:52 PM

Iranians requested to ‘pledge allegiance’ to new Supreme Leader

09 Mar 2026 - 01:41 PM

Fresh wave of missiles threatens UAE

09 Mar 2026 - 01:26 PM

NAB forecasting 5% inflation as drivers panic buy petrol

09 Mar 2026 - 01:10 PM

Australia’s crucial role in Iran’s next steps

09 Mar 2026 - 11:54 AM

‘I am not happy’: Trump

09 Mar 2026 - 10:30 AM

US ‘boots on the ground’ in Iran within days: Hockey

09 Mar 2026 - 09:52 AM

Trump: Ending Iran war will be a ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu

09 Mar 2026 - 09:02 AM

‘A new era of honour’: Iran’s President welcomes Supreme Leader

09 Mar 2026 - 08:32 AM

‘No chance’: Hegseth says unconditional surrender certain

09 Mar 2026 - 07:54 AM

Hundreds dead as Israel zero in on heart of Beirut

09 Mar 2026 - 07:43 AM

Streets of fire as infernos rage around Tehran

09 Mar 2026 - 07:30 AM

Revolutionary Guard fall in line behind new supreme leader

09 Mar 2026 - 07:18 AM

Trump says Middle East oil woes a ‘small price to pay’

09 Mar 2026 - 07:02 AM

New supreme leader another hard line ruler

09 Mar 2026 - 06:50 AM

New Iran leader has final say in all matters of state

09 Mar 2026 - 06:41 AM

O’Brien says Australia need to help US, Israel with ‘heavy lifting’

09 Mar 2026 - 05:44 AM

‘Allahu Akbar, Khamenei is the leader’

09 Mar 2026 - 05:32 AM

BREAKING: Mojtaba Khamenei named as Iran’s new leader

09 Mar 2026 - 05:32 AM

Urgent calls for action as fears grow for Iran's women’s team

09 Mar 2026 - 05:26 AM

Iraq cut oil production by three million barrels a day

09 Mar 2026 - 05:05 AM

‘Fallen warrior’: US confirm death of service member in Saudi Arabia

09 Mar 2026 - 04:57 AM

UAE travel advice upgraded as Middle East evacuation flights arrive

09 Mar 2026 - 04:16 AM

Middle East war at a glance: Tehran oil sites burn, revised death tolls

09 Mar 2026 - 03:40 AM

New leader won’t ‘last long’: Trump

09 Mar 2026 - 03:37 AM

Iran’s Assembly of Experts says new leader close to being named

Caleb Runciman

Thanks for following our live coverage

That’s the end of our rolling coverage today. Please check in tomrorow for new updates.

Caleb Runciman

Iranian team offered protection by Australia after protest

At least five of the women from the Iranian national soccer team are being protected by Australian government officials, according to the Iranian-Australian community.

Just a day after some of the Lionesess squad, in Australia to play in the Women’s Asian Cup, were spotted signalling “SOS” hand signals from the team bus on the Gold Coast, community sources said at least five of the tourists sought safety with the support of the Australian government.

Grave fears are held for the women if they were to return to Iran after they mounted a public on field protest against their oppressive regime before their first game of Asian cup.

A broadcaster working for Iranian state TV last week branded the team “wartime traitors” for not singing the national anthem ahead of their first game of the Asian Cup.

Read the full story here.

Katherine Kraayvanger

Israel begins ‘wide-scale’ strikes on Iran’s cities

CNN is reporting the Israeli military has begun a “wide-scale wave” of airstrikes against Iran’s major cities, including the capital of Tehran.

The central city of Esfahan, as well as the country’s southern districts, will also be targeted according to the military.

Katherine Kraayvanger

No negotiations while Iran is under attack: Foreign Ministry

The Iranian foreign ministry says it will not negotiate to end the war with the US and Israel while they are under attack.

“While military aggression continues, there is little room to talk about anything other than a decisive response,” spokesperson Esmaeil Baghei said.

Katherine Kraayvanger

Vladimir Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamanei after election

Russian president Vladimir Putin has congratulated newly-elected Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment in a statement posted to the Kremlin’s website on Monday.

“At a time when Iran is opposing armed aggression, your tenure in this high post will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” President Putin said.

“I am sure that you will honorably continue your father’s work and unite the Iranian people.

“Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic.”

Katherine Kraayvanger

One person killed by missile strike in Israel

Israel’s Fire and Rescue authority says one man has died after an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Monday morning.

Two men are also believed to be in a “serious” condition after the attack.

It is believed the man’s death is the first in Israel in the past week, as the country’s death toll increases to 11.

Katherine Kraayvanger

Emmanuel Macron: G7 could dip into strategic oil reserves amid skyrocketing energy prices

French President Emmanuel Macron says G7 nations could start using its oil stockpiles as global energy prices spike in response to the war.

“The use of strategic reserves is an envisaged option,” President Macron said.

The President also says a meeting of the G7 is expected this week to consider a global response to increasing energy prices.

Katherine Kraayvanger

Decision to end war to be ‘mutual’ between US and Israel: Trump

US President Donald Trump says the decision to end the two countries’ war with Iran will be “mutual” between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” President Trump said in an interview with The Times of Israel.

The president refused to confirm whether Israel would continue its attack on Iran if the US ceased its airstrikes, but later said he didn’t “think it’s going to be necessary”.

Katherine Kraayvanger

China voices support for Iranian sovereignty after new Supreme Leader appointed

China’s foreign ministry has says the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei after the death of his father Ali Khamenei is a “domestic matter” that was “based on its constitution”.

The IDF had previously threatened to attack the former supreme leader’s successor, which Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned when speaking to reporters.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said.

Katherine Kraayvanger

Beirut infrastructure struck, says IDF

The Israeli Defence Force says it has struck “infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization” in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut.

Earlier, the IDF warned it would be “operating forcefully” in southern Lebanon against groups which it claims assist Hezbollah.

“The Israel Defense Forces will operate forcefully against the terrorist infrastructure of Al-Qard al-Hassan Association, which constitutes a central element in financing Hezbollah’s terrorist activities and harms the Lebanese economy in service of Iranian interests,” the IDF said.

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