US-Iran war updates: Middle East ceasefire under threat as Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz, Israel strikes Lebanon

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has blamed US President Donald Trump for the global fuel crisis and suggested renewable energy is the answer to fuel volatility.

“Obviously, these were decisions taken around the table of the Situation Room in Washington DC but Australians are assembled around their kitchen tables working out how to pay for it,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.

“Australians didn’t choose the circumstances of this war. These decisions were taken in the first instance by the Americans, but Australians are paying a hefty price for that, and that’s our focus, which is to really do what we can across a whole range of areas to shield where we can Australians from the worst the world can throw at us.”

Dr Chalmers also suggested renewable energy projects were the solution to the fuel crisis, longer term, after announcing a series of pilot projects in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and NSW.

“If we’ve learnt anything from the last month and a bit, it’s that cleaner and cheaper fuels, sovereign capacity, refining, manufacturing, these things are more important than ever in the context of this extreme pressure that we’ve seen on our global supply chains,” he said.

“That’s why we’re big believers”.

Australia has called on Israel to end its attacks on Lebanon after a ceasefire deal was struck with Iran, warning that any ongoing fighting puts the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz at risk.

Israel says it has carried out its largest wave of strikes against Lebanon since the start of the war, leaving at least 250 people dead, according to local authorities.

In a joint statement with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Jordan, Brazil, Colombia, and Sierra Leone, Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for an urgent end to the fighting in Lebanon.

“The ceasefire is fragile, but the world needs it to hold,” she told ABC TV on Thursday.

“There is a risk that continued conflict in Lebanon will risk the ceasefire itself across the region.

“We want to see the Strait of Hormuz open so that Australians and the world can see lower prices for fuel.”

She said the deadly attacks overnight were “deeply concerning”.

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US President Donald Trump has called NATO out on Truth Social, claiming NATO ‘wasn’t there when we needed them’.

The post comes after Mr Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss whether the US should exit the alliance.

Mr Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with NATO and their lack of support to help the US and their efforts in the war with Iran.

“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!” Trump wrote.

The Iranian Students’ News Agency says that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) navy has posted a map showing alternative shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

It has been reported that the map is to allow ships to navigate around and avoid naval mines.

It still remains unclear whether the Strait of Hormuz has reopened or not despite the agreed two-week ceasefire.

The White House has announced that the US has ‘achieved every single objective’ in the Middle East conflict, claiming victory in the war with Iran.

The White House announced on X, “Iran’s ability to threaten the region has been systematically dismantled”.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this morning to discuss if the US should exit the alliance.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said that the support from NATO has been inadequate during the US-Iran war, in particular, their refusal to take part in protecting commercial ships the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Rutte said the discussion with Mr Trump was “frank and open”.

“I was also able to point to the fact that the large majority of European nations has been helpful with basing, with logistics, with overflights, with making sure that they lift up to the commitments,” he told CNN during an interview after the meeting.

If you are just joining us, welcome to our live coverage of the developing conflict in the Middle East.

Here’s a recap of the latest developments:

• A tentative ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran has been announced, but key terms remain unclear.
• Israel continued strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, saying the country is not covered by the ceasefire.
• Lebanese civil defence reports at least 254 people killed in the latest strikes.
• Iran has again restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks.
• The White House says Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire, contradicting claims from Iran and Pakistan.
• The Strait of Hormuz remains largely constrained, raising concerns for global oil supply.

• US President Donald Trump will meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss the future of the alliance.

Stay tuned as we bring you more live updates.

Donald Trump is expected to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today after sharply criticising the alliance for failing to support the US campaign against Iran.

The US president has accused NATO members of not doing enough to back American military efforts, fuelling speculation Washington could reconsider its role in the decades-old security pact.

The White House has suggested the future of US involvement in NATO may be discussed when the two leaders hold talks in the Oval Office.

The Foreign Minister again criticised Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting Iran could face civilisational destruction, describing the language as unacceptable, though she did not go as far as labelling the comments a war crime.

Senator Wong said Australia recognised the United States under Mr Trump may take a less predictable approach on the global stage, but emphasised the long-standing alliance between the two nations remained intact.

Though Senator Wong did note that Australia was strengthening ties with other partners, including countries aross south-east Asian, Canada and the European Union, as part of the broader effort to deepen diplomatic and strategic relationships.

Senator Penny Wong has warned Australia that it ‘may take some time’ for petrol prices to come down, especially amid reports that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again.

“My answer is, we want it to be as soon as possible but I think the hard reality is this may take some time,” she said of the prospect of relief at the bowser.

She did not confirm whether the strait, a key oil shipping lane, was closed, saying there were “conflicting reports”.

“What is most important is whether commercial shipping has the confidence the Strait is open,” she said.