US-Iran war updates: Strait of Hormuz blockade confirmed, Trump commences mine clearing operation

Anthony Albanese has admitted that Australia “should look” at local production of oil, blaming past governments for the current production position.

“We should look at where we can have more things made in Australia,” Mr Albanese told Sunrise.

Asked about the Great Australian Bite, Mr Albanese refused to take responsibility for the operation not proceeding.

“The Great Australian Bite (project) was approved by the former government,” Mr Albanese said, adding licensing expired because the cost, at the time, was deemed uncommercial.

“Four out of six of Australia’s fuel refineries shut down under the previous government.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claims Australia is “at the front of the queue” for oil from Asian neighbours, as fears grow they may be forced to impose exporting limits to fulfil their own supply.

Mr Albanese told Sunrise on Monday that from his talks, our key suppliers are confident they can “replace the Middle East fuel with stocks from Africa or the Americas”.

“They are very confident they won’t be imposing export limits. Australia is at the top of the queue.”

US President Donald Trump says ships are now lining up to take US oil after he announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Boats are sailing up, heading to OUR country, big, beautiful tankers. We’re loading them up with oil, gas, and everything else,” he told reporters outside the White House.

“It’s a pretty beautiful thing to see.”

US CENTCOM says the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will begin at 10.00am ET on Monday, midnight AEST on Tuesday.

The blockade will be enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”.

“CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed it is commencing operations to clear underwater mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations,” it said in a statement.

“USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM added: “Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce.”

US President Donald Trump has announced a total blockade on ships entering or attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“At some point, we will reach an ‘ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT’ basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, ‘There may be a mine out there somewhere,’ that nobody knows about but them.

“THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted.”

The announcement does not include a timeframe for when the Strait of Hormuz may be reopened.

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