US, Iran war updates: Fears of militias, PM announces fuel powers, Israel’s first missile attack from Yemen

Gulf nations have sounded the alarm over fears Iran-backed militias could launch attacks across the region, raising the risk of wider instability as the Middle East war escalates.

In a rare joint statement, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned strikes on their territory, blaming direct attacks from Iran and operations carried out by proxy groups it supports.

Kuwait revealed that it had already foiled a plot to assassinate state leaders, arresting six suspects believed to be linked to Hezbollah — one of Iran’s most powerful regional allies.

Iran has long relied on proxy militias to extend its influence, with groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen forming a key part of its strategy, alongside networks operating in Iraq and Syria.

But since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, Gulf states say the threat has shifted closer to home — with missile and drone attacks, along with suspected sleeper cell activity, fuelling fears the conflict could spill deeper into the region.

A worker has been hurt in a drone attack on Oman’s Salalah port.

Officials said that a crane was also hit but had had limited damage.

Oman had served as a mediator between the US and Iran before the war.

Israel’s military says it has detected a missile launch from Yemen, marking the first such incident since the conflict began.

The strike comes after Iran-backed Houthi forces warned they could join the fighting.

In a statement, the military said it had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat”.

The alert was issued early Saturday as the war entered its second month.

It follows reports that Iran launched multiple missile barrages at Tel Aviv the previous day, triggering air defence systems and warning sirens late Friday and into Saturday.

At least 12 US troops have been injured in an Iranian strike on a military base in Saudi Arabia, with two in serious condition, a US official confirmed to Reuters. Earlier reports from Wall Street Journal suggested 10 personnel had been wounded.

The attack targeted Prince Sultan Air Base, a key US military installation in the region.

The incident follows the death of US Army Sergeant Benjamin N Pennington, 26, who was wounded at the same base earlier this month and died days later.

Since the conflict began, 13 American troops have been killed. More than 300 service members have been wounded, although the US Army said most have since returned to duty.

There is a threat to the safety of Australians in hotels in Dubai, the Australian government has warned.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a very specific warning in the early hours of Saturday, Australian time.

“We have reason to believe there are heightened risks around hotels in Dubai, including an ongoing threat in the vicinity of Le Meridien hotel on Airport Road, Dubai,” the department revealed via Smartraveller.

The department has already issued a “do not travel” warning for the UAE, which includes layovers or even transiting through Dubai International Airport.

“If you can secure a flight out of the UAE and it’s safe to travel to the airport, leave now while commercial flights are available. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” the warning says.

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Iranian state media report the country’s nuclear facilities have been attacked hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its military campaign against Iran.

A heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production plant were struck, IRNA reported.

Yellowcake is a concentrated form of uranium after impurities are removed from the raw ore.

Heavy water is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted, the agency said.

The strikes did not cause any casualties and there was no risk of contamination, it said.

Israel also attacked the Arak plant last June.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in off-site radiation levels after the Ardakan site attack.

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US President Donald Trump has said “Cuba is next” during a speech at an investment forum in Miami during which he touted the successes of US military action in Venezuela and Iran.

While the president did not specify what precisely he plans to do with the island nation, he has frequently said he believes the government in Havana, facing a severe economic crisis, is on the verge of collapse.

His administration has opened up negotiations with elements of Cuba’s leadership in recent weeks, while Trump himself has hinted that kinetic action could be possible.

“I built this great military. I said, ‘You’ll never have to use it.’ But sometimes you have to use it. And Cuba is next, by the way,” Mr Trump told the conference on Friday.

“But pretend I didn’t say that. Pretend I didn’t.

“Please, please, please, media, disregard that statement. Cuba’s next.”

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Australians to “act responsibly” and not hoard fuel, saying it “wasn’t the Australian way” as he announced new measures to secure more fuel for the country.

Australia has a 39-day supply of petrol, 30 days of diesel and 30 days of jet fuel.

Even so, the Prime Minister said he was gobsmacked by reports that people were panic buying and purchasing far more fuel than they need.

“That’s not the Australian way,” he said.

“People need to take what they need and no more.

“We need to learn from the lessons of COVID.

“I don’t want things to be mandated.

“Common sense should apply.”

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Iran has expressed willingness to talk about certain things in an exchange of messages, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters after a G7 meeting in France on Friday.

“We’re waiting for further clarification about who it is that we would be talking to, what we would be talking about, and when will we be talking,” Rubio said.

“It could happen in any moment. It could happen today. Could happen tomorrow.”

Mr Rubio said Washington expects its military operation in Iran to wrap up in “weeks, not months” following talks with G7 foreign ministers in France.

He said the US could “achieve all our objectives without deploying ground troops” in Iran.

He also warned Iran could move to introduce a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz — a step he said could cause major economic disruption globally.

He added the US would work with international partners on a plan to keep the critical shipping route open once hostilities end.

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Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australia’s fuel supply remains stable despite disruptions and panic buying in some areas.

He said imports have continued to arrive as expected since the Iran conflict began, with additional shipments secured to offset recent cancellations.

While some regional service stations have run dry due to increased demand, Bowen said fuel is still moving through the system.

“Fuel is flowing strongly out the door, especially to regional Australia. It also continues to flow in the door,” Mr Bowen said.

“Every expected arrival has arrived, and our international supply chain remains secure at this point. As we’ve said, all that’s important to reassure Australians.”