US-Israel Iran war updates: Explosions rattle Tehran, Jerusalem as Iranian internet blackout enters 21st day

The state-imposed internet blackout in Iran is “now the longest recorded shutdown” in the country’s history as it enters its 20th day.

According to internet watchdog NetBlocks, the shutdown surpassed the length of the blackout, which was imposed during protests against the regime in January, on Thursday.

Iran is set to enter Nowruz — Persian New Year — in “digital darkness” according to NetBlocks, after 21 days of blackout.

“With international connectivity cut and domestic service limited, many families are unable to contact loved ones when it’s most needed,” a NetBlocks statement said.

The major Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem has been closed for “security” during the Islamic celebration of Eid for the first time since the 1967 Mideast War.

Muslims are due to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr — acknowledging the end of the holy month of Ramadan — but worshippers in Israel will not be able to visit the Mosque.

The Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to the site as Temple Mount, and access to it has been a point of conflict since Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 war.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini has been killed by an airstrike in Iran early on Friday morning, AP is reporting.

The General “was martyred in the criminal cowardly terrorist attack by the American-Zionist side at dawn”, according to a statement on the Sepah News website.

Less than an hour ago, The Nightly reported Gen. Naeini’s comments claiming Iran is still producing missiles despite Israel’s reports to the contrary.

The newly-elected Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, says the “security” of enemies to Iran must be taken away, according to AP.

Supreme Leader Khamanei made the statement “on his behalf” to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday morning.

The new leader, who took over after his father Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli airstrike on February 28, has not been seen in public as rumours swirl about being injured in the war.

A spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard says it is still building missiles, despite claims from Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu that the regime no longer had the capability, AP is reporting.

“We are producing missiles even during war conditions, which is amazing, and there is no particular problem in stockpiling,” Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeni said.

Gen. Naeni also claimed the war has no expected end date from Iran’s perspective.

“(The Iranian) people expect the war to continue until the enemy is completely exhausted,” he said.

“This war must end when the shadow of war is lifted from the country.”

Lebanese state media is reporting an Israeli fighter jet has been struck down during an airstrike on multiple locations in southern Lebanon on Friday, according to AFP.

“Israeli enemy fighter jets struck at dawn, targeting the towns of Bafliyeh and Hanine in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts,” the National News Agency said.

The Israel Defence Force says its airstrikes have hit “a command centre and weapons” belonging to the Syrian regime on Friday.

The IDF says the strikes were in response to regime attacks on Druze civilians in the southern Syrian city of Sweida.

“The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them,” a statement said.

“The IDF continues to monitor developments in southern Syria and will operate in accordance with directives from the political echelon.”

The International Energy Agency has suggested a string of drastic measures for consumers to take if the energy chokehold in the Strait of Hormuz, promoted by the US-Israel-Iran war, isn’t alleviated.

Their report released on Friday identified ten measures that can be implemented swiftly by governments, businesses and households to ease the burden.

It include mass working from home, avoiding air-travel, reducing highway speeds by at least 10km/h and registration plate rotation schemes to limit the days motorists drive.

The Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery has been attacked by Iranian drones on Friday morning for the second time in 24 hours, Kuwait authorities say.

The strike caused a fire at the refinery, which usually processes over 730,000 barrels of oil per day.

The refinery was struck by drones earlier on Thursday which also sparked a fire.

Kuwait authories say firefighters are battling the blaze and that no injuries have been reported.

Anthony Albanese is defending Australia’s independent response to the Iran conflict against Coalition claims it’s “out of step” with the G7 after being “glaringly absent’” from a Strait of Hormuz pact.

Australia wasn’t a signatory on a multi-nation statement by UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada released overnight condemning Iran’s de facto closure of the critical shipping lane.

US allies had expressed “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through” the integral strait.

The Coalition criticised the Prime Minister for not standing with like-minded partners to restore safe passage which has triggered a global energy shock.

Speaking in South Australia on Friday, the PM defended his action reiterating that Australia had sent an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and AMRAAM missiles to support a defence request from the UAE.

Australia hasn’t committed naval support despite calls from US President Donald Trump for allies to support the passage of oil tankers in the waterways.

When asked if Australia was missing in action, Mr Albanese responded “not at all”.

“We want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened,” he said.

“We’re offering support. We’re working with our allies, including, once again, calling for the Iranian regime to allow freedom of navigation.

“This is essential for international trade.

“Again, we reiterate our calls for Iran to do the right thing and to allow for international passage to occur. The freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle, and we again call for a de-escalation.

Mr Albanese said Australia would continue to monitor “whatever we can do to provide assistance”.