US-Iran war updates: Navy primed for Middle East deployment, Trump confirms blockade on Strait of Hormuz

Australia’s top military leadership will be reshaped in July, with three long-serving officers — including the first woman elevated to be Chief of Army — stepping into the most powerful roles in the Defence Force.

Between them, Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond, Lt-Gen. Susan Coyle and Rear-Admiral Matthew Buckley bring more than a century of combined service — from submarines and operational theatres to cyber warfare and strategic command — but also quieter personal lives that offer a glimpse of the people behind the uniforms.

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Pope Leo has knocked back US President Donald Trump’s bizarre social media lashing of the Church leader.

Responding the Trump’s claims that the Chicago-born Christian is “weak”, Pope Leo told Reuters reporters that he will continue to speak out against the war in the Middle East.

Calling out the violence and claiming, “too many innocent people are being killed”.

“I don’t want to get into a debate with ⁠him,” he told Reuters. “I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing.”

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today.

“Too many innocent ‌people ⁠are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.

“The message of the church, my message, the message of the Gospel, Blessed are the Peacemakers. I do not look at my role as ⁠being political, a politician.”

Perth drivers can breathe a sigh of relief when ‘cheap Tuesday’ makes a brief return this week with two servos setting prices not seen in more than a month.

A near 50 service stations across WA will have fuel below the painful $2 a litre mark at the bowser on Tuesday, a rare sight since the Middle East war began.

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The Prime Minister has declared his second trip to Asia in a week to secure fuel supplies for Australia is “very significant” but has sidestepped questions about what deals he hopes to clinch from the leaders of Brunei and Malaysia.

Anthony Albanesehas also defended his government’s “modest” $20m advertising campaign providing motorists with fuel-saving tips, as Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirms more than 200 service stations are now without diesel.

On Tuesday Mr Albanese will fly to the Kingdom of Brunei for a private audience with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, before meeting his Malaysian counterpart in a visit first revealed by The West Australian earlier this month.

“The trip this week will be very significant and the impacts that are happening on a day-to-day basis with announcements just reinforce the fact that we are living in very uncertain times,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

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The conflict in the Middle East is now regarded as good for the Commonwealth but bad for the states and territories whose debts have tripled in less than a decade to house population growth fuelled by immigration.

While more government debt during a time of higher inflation means heftier interest payments, the Commonwealth is expected to rake in $30 billion more revenue by 2028-29.

The 2020s, starting with the COVID pandemic, have been an expensive era for governments from financing lockdowns to providing cost-of-living relief during yet another inflation outbreak arising from a global oil crisis.

S&P Global Ratings is now forecasting the states and territories will see their collective gross debt soar to $820 billion by 2028 — triple the $270 billion level of 2019.

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The UK will not take part US President Donald Trump’s blockade of Iran’s ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the BBC.

British naval ships and personnel will not be deployed to block Iranian ports, but minesweepers and anti-drone capabilities will remain active in the area.

“We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” a UK government spokesperson said.

Australia’s incoming defence chief has declared the Navy he now commands can deploy a warship to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Prime Minister on Monday confirmed that chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, would assume the military’s top job in July, while Lieutenant General Susan Coyle would become Australia’s first female service chief as the next head of Army.

Admiral Hammond will replace Admiral David Johnston who has served as Defence Chief since 2024, while Air Marshal Robert Chipman will continue to serve as Vice Chief of Defence.

Lt. Gen Coyle, who currently serves as Chief of Joint Capability, will replace Lt. Gen Simon Stuart who has commanded the Army since 2022, while Deputy Navy Chief Rear Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley, will take over from Admiral Hammond as Chief of Navy.

While unveiling the reshuffle of the military’s top ranks, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister praised General Coyle’s appointment as an “historic” moment as the Government prepares to also release its latest defence strategy later this week.

Anthony Albanese acknowledged Lt. Gen Coyle had first enlisted as a soldier in the Army reserves in 1987, before rising to the organisation’s top job.

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US President Donald Trump is using the two week Iran “ceasefire” to pump out some fresh content on Truth Social, but many Christians aren’t happy with his most recent post.

Mr Trump took to the platform to post an AI generated image of himself as Jesus Christ barely two hours after he called Pope Leo XIV “weak”.

The detailed picture shows the US President, decked out in white, seemingly healing a sick man, his hands holding the light of the heavens.

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Benchmark oil prices surged in early Asian trade after US President Donald Trump said he would blockade the Strait of Hormuz to prevent any energy tankers from transiting the waterway bordered by Iran and Oman.

Brent Crude futures for May delivery jumped 8.7 per cent to $US104.80 a barrel and US WTI oil rose 7.4 per cent to $US104.22 a barrel, after prices fell last week on the back of Iran and the US agreeing to a 10-point peace plan for two weeks.

The move higher in oil also comes after talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan ended without a definite peace deal on Sunday.

“Trump said he would implement a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stopping the trickle of vessels, primarily from China, that have been traversing the strait,” said ANZ Bank’s economics team.

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Donald Trump has shut down the world’s busiest oil waterway after failed peace talks with Iran. The latest update in the war between the US and Iran will have major global impacts, with Middle Eastern oil drastically cut off.

“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.

Mr Trump says there is no lack of oil supply, telling countries that have purchased oil that transits through the Strait to change where they buy and to come straight to the US.

In his move, there are three prominent goals he may be attempting to achieve, which will have a huge impact on the US, the Middle East and the world.

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