US-Iran war live updates: Flight out of Dubai lands in Sydney, Hegseth confirms US sunk warship with torpedo

Any replacement for the former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is an “unequivocal target for elimination”, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz says.

“It does not matter what his name is or where he hides,” Katz said.

“We will continue to act with full force, together with our American partners, to dismantle the regime’s capabilities and to create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow it and replace it.”

The IDF’s Arabic translator Avichay Adraee has issued an “urgent warning” for residents in the Haret Hriek neighbourhood in Beirut’s south.

“You are located near facilities affiliated with Hezbollah,” Adraee’s post said.

Reuters is reporting large plumes of smoke have been seen in Beirut’s south on Wednesday morning.

Explosions in the night sky, missiles intercepted overhead and hundreds of cancelled flights have left Australians stranded in Dubai, with some pleading for help while others who are based there insist life in the wealthy Gulf city is continuing almost as normal.

As the Middle East conflict escalates, Australians living in or travelling through the United Arab Emirates have been posting videos and first-hand accounts online describing the sound of interceptions, sleepless nights, empty tourist districts and growing frustration about how to get home.

Australia’s ambassador to the UAE, Ridwaan Jadwat, said Australians in the emirate had endured “extremely challenging” days as the region faced repeated missile and drone attacks.

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Australia has continued to walk a fine line of strategy ambiguity on the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran amid ongoing questions about the attack’s legality and as allied nations are increasingly drawn into the conflict.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has again ruled out Australia sending any troops to the Middle East if requested by long-term ally the US and insisted they were actively engaging with nations in the region who are pushing for a diplomatic solution.

The conflict’s first four days has killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but also widened to include 10 nations in retaliatory attacks, killing some 800 people across 131 cities including at least four US personnel.

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Multiple Iranian cities have been hit by US-Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday morning, including the nation’s capital, Tehran, AP is reporting.

The cities of Khorramabad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Behbahan, and Kernamnshah are also reporting to have been hit by airstrikes, as well as the holy city of Qom.

The Lebanese state-run National News Agency is reporting 5 people have been killed during a strike on residential buildings in Baalbek in Lebanon’s northeast.

The Agency is also reporting three people are missing and fifteen injured.

Once again, Australia looks about to earn its reputation as the lucky country.

As the war in the Middle East wanders an unpredictable path, spreading destruction across the region, the news at home is alarming but far less worse than it could be.

The most immediate impact is on drivers, who are now being charged as much as $2.44 a litre for premium fuel. That is a painful hit, especially for transport contractors, farmers and working-class families who have to travel long distances for work or see relatives.

Thousands of Australians in the region who want to escape the violence are also in dire straits. Passenger air travel has been severely disrupted. Travellers expecting layovers a few hours have been stuck days.

Australian-Iranians are experiencing cycles of excitement and anxiety, hoping but unsure their first country will be liberated from religious extremism.

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Nvidia, Amazon and Alphabet are among the big tech firms scrambling to ensure the safety of their employees who are traveling through or based in the Middle East after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran over the weekend.

The massive attack on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, among others, and Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli and US bases across the Gulf. The conflict has disrupted civilian life, internet access in Iran, flight routes and energy shipments across the region.

Chip tech leader Nvidia temporarily closed its Dubai offices, with employees there working remotely, according to an email reviewed by CNBC that was sent by CEO Jensen Huang to all employees early Tuesday.

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Penny Wong has avoided questions of whether Australia has been asked by the United Arab Emirates or Qatar to persuade Donald Trump to reach for an off-ramp on US involvement in the Middle East.

When asked if Australia had received requests from UAE and Qatar, who are reportedly privately lobbying allied countries to talk to the American leader, the Foreign Minister shifted to broad diplomatic engagement in the region.

“We have certainly been engaged with countries in the region,” she said, not referencing the US in her response.

“I think we all understand that the conflict at the moment is widening and it is intensifying, and that is a great risk to the region, people of the region.

“It also has implications for the global economy. We also know that ultimately, in order to achieve stability, there will need to be dialogue and diplomacy.”

The IDF has launched a “large wave” strike on Iran and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Local media have reported multiple deaths in the last few hours from the latest strikes.

Footage has now emerged from the scene of a strike in Baalbek, which shows rescue workers attempting to free people trapped under the rubble of a building that was struck.

Local Fouad Khreiss pleaded online for anyone with access to a bulldozer to come to the scene immediately to try and help.

“The complex is completely engulfed, and there are more than 60 people inside,” his translated post read.

WARNING: CONFRONTING FOOTAGE