US-Iran war updates: Anthony Albanese cuts Malaysia trip short to face refinery fire fallout back at home

FIFA President Gianni Infantino insists that Iran will participate in the World Cup “for sure” despite its war with the United States.

Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, Infantino said it is important that Iran takes part in the World Cup starting in June even though its participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on the country.

“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino said. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago and said on Wednesday he was impressed.

“I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well,” Infantino said. “And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now.”

Infantino acknowledged it was not always possible to achieve the separation of sports and politics.

The United States has threatened to sanction buyers of Iranian oil, saying it believes China would pause such purchases as Washington enforces a maritime blockade on Iran.

“We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

The US maritime blockade on Iran began on Monday as the Iran war entered its seventh week. China previously bought more than 80 per cent of Iran’s shipped oil.

“We believe (that with) this blockade ... there will be a pause of Chinese buying,” Mr Bessent said.

The US Treasury has also written to two Chinese banks and “told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put on secondary sanctions,” he added.

China’s embassy in the United States did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mr Bessent’s remarks.

Firefighters are responding to a “significant” blaze at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery after emergency services received multiple reports of explosions late on Wednesday night.

Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed crews were called to the Corio facility about 11pm following calls describing flames and loud blasts at the major fuel site.

Authorities said the fire was not yet under control when emergency teams arrived, all workers on site have been accounted for and no injuries have been reported.

Smoke was still visible rising from the refinery on Thursday morning as authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage, which remains unclear.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the incident would affect supply from one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries, with early indications pointing to disruption to petrol production.

“Petrol, high octane petrol – in particular diesel and jet fuel – continues to be produced at the refinery. But obviously I’ve been talking to the Chief Executive over the last several hours and will continue to talk to him today to get better assessments. As you’d understand that it’s very early in terms of assessments on production,” he told Sunrise.

“It will impact on production at this point, petrol rather than diesel and jet fuel. But we’re going to continue to really work closely with Viva, the company, and really monitor and work together on any impacts.”

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has shut down claims that the US had asked Iran for a ceasefire extension, meaning US President Donald Trump could return to threats of destruction and annihilation of Iran within days.

“I saw some bad reporting this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment,” Ms Leavitt said on Wednesday.

“We remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks.

“We feel good about the prospects of a deal... and it’s obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the President’s demands.

“I think he has made his red lines in these negotiations very clear.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a video that includes audio of a standoff in the Strait of Hormuz after Mr Trump’s blockade began.

The US has deployed 10,000 military personnel to enforce the strict blockade in an attempt to starve Iran of influence.

“Prepare to be boarded,” a voice can be heard saying.

“If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. The whole of the US Navy is ready to force compliance.”

In another update, CENTCOM said: “The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran.“

The US claimed that 10 ships have now been turned away and “ZERO ships have broken through”.

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