Middle East

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Israel has bombed Iran in what may lead to yet another war in the Middle East, and the challenge for Donald Trump will be to protect US troops in the region and to stay out of this mess.

AARON PATRICK Israel’s devastating attack on Iran could trigger a response that drags Saudi Arabia or the US into the conflict.

EDITORIAL: In Australia we see the issues Anthony Albanese was set to tackle at the G7 as important. But we now have a reminder that on the world stage we are down the pecking order.

Smartraveller has issued an urgent warning to Australians in the Middle East as military strikes hit Iran and Israel declares a state of emergency over feared ‘terrorist attacks’ and retaliation.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has labelled the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel as ‘alarming’ and vowed Australia would do everything necessary to keep its citizens safe.

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge on Israel from strikes on Tehran and nuclear sites, saying ‘the powerful hand of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces’ is ready.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami has reportedly been killed by the Israeli airstrikes on the capital of Tehran, along with two top nuclear scientists.

Israel has attacked Iran’s capital in strikes that targeted the country’s nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two adversaries.

President Donald Trump insists he wants to avoid conflict while warning that Israel could strike Iran soon as nuclear talks with Tehran remain deadlocked.

UN member states have voted, despite opposition from the US and Israel, to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid.

Oil prices have spiked on geopolitical concerns, as US President Donald Trump struck a negative tone over nuclear talks with Iran and announced the withdrawal of some American personnel from the Middle East. 

AARON PATRICK: The action against two Israel ministers panders to Hamas supporters and could trigger more violence against Australian Jews.

Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in slapping travel bans and financial sanctions on two senior Israeli government ministers in a major split from the US. 

Greta Thunberg has accused Israel of kidnapping her and her fellow pro-Palestinian activists in international waters, breaking her silence as she landed in Paris, France.

Strikes by Israel on Yemeni ports have involved the nation's navy for the first time since the Gaza war erupted more than two years ago.