US-Iran war updates: WA declares state of emergency as Anthony Albanese to address the nation on fuel crisis

Anthony Albanese is set to deliver a national address at 7pm AEDT time tday, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to deliver an address to the UK at a similar time in the late morning GMT.

According to the BBC, he’ll be providing an update on the latest situation in the Middle East and how the government is planning to support families amid the cost of living.

The ongoing war in Iran has fuelled concerns that energy bills may rise further and Starmer has previously pledged to “protect the British people at home and abroad”.

The update follows the announcement that extra British troops and UK defence systems will be deployed to the Middle East for defensive action against Iranian attacks.

The prime minister said earlier this week that the UK is “not going to get dragged into this war” but would continue to defend its interests and allies in the region.

A man has died after debris from an intercepted drone fell at a farm in Al Rifa, in the Emirate of Fujairah in the UEA, local authorities say.

The man was a Bangladeshi national, the Fujairah Media Office says in a statement shared on social media.

The UAE has intercepted 1977 drones and 433 ballistic missiles since the start of the war, the country’s ministry of defence said yesterday.

A state of emergency will be declared in WA to force fuel companies to divert supplies where they’re needed, after they failed to meet Premier Roger Cook’s deadline to do so voluntarily.

The Premier has announced he will use emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972.

“We remain at level two of the national fuel security plan, which is designed to keep Australia moving,” Mr Cook said.

“It’s worth noting that this declaration, declaration will enable us to create additional emergency regulations. Should they be required to implement actions at high levels as part of the national plan.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to address the nation at 4PM AWT.

It’s understood the PM will outline the Government’s response to the Middle East conflict and “encourage Australians to play their part.”

Read the full story here.

According to AP, Israel has warned of an incoming missile attack fro Iran, the second so far on Wednesday.

Emergency personnel also reportedly said that an 11-year-old girl was severely wounded in central Israel in the latest missile attack from Iran.

Two more people suffered moderate injuries including a 13-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman, according to

Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue services.

The head of Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, has used his X account to send a message to Donald Trump.

“The Strait of Hormuz will certainly reopen, but not for you; it will be open for those who comply with the new laws of Iran,” he wrote.

“Trump has finally achieved his dream of ‘regime change’—but in the region’s maritime regime!”

Iran’s foreign minister has acknowledged receiving direct messages from U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, AP reports.

The comments by Abbas Araghchi were voiced in an interview with pan-Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera aired late Tuesday. He insisted that the messages didn’t constitute negotiations.

“I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the U.S. will yield any results. The trust level is at zero.”

An Iranian drone attack has set fire to fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported. Authorities said there were no casualties.

The strike, the latest in a series targeting airport and fuel infrastructure in the region, comes amid escalating tensions as the US and Israel increase operations against Iran, and Tehran responds with attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.

KUNA reported that the fire caused significant damage to fuel tanks owned by the Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister was strongly encouraging Australians to proceed with their long weekend holiday plans, insisting “people should enjoy their Easter.”

“It’s important as well that we keep the economy going. Easter is an important time for tourism destinations, for jobs. They rely upon that. And I wish those people of faith as well, a holy Easter,” he said on Monday.

His comments came as he unveiled a $2.55 billion halving of the fuel excise, with the Treasurer telling motorists the move would deliver a whooping $19 discount when filling up a 65-litre vehicle.

Tonight, Anthony Albanese will again be addressing the nation, but with a very different tone, and a grim sign that the worst is yet to come in the global oil crisis.

In his nationally televised address at 7pm Canberra time, the PM will outline the government’s response to the Middle East conflict and “encourage Australians to play their part”.

The Nightly understands the pre-recorded comments will be broadcast live across all TV and radio networks simultaneously, and Australians will be asked to save fuel for the areas and industries that need it.

Read the full analysis.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has reported that explosions were heard across northern, eastern and central districts of Tehran, indicating the capital was under attack.

At the time of these reports it was around 6.30 am in Tehran.

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to join the US and allies in forcing open the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Emirati officials are lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution to authorise action, while also reviewing how the country could play a direct military role, including clearing mines and providing other support.

The move comes after repeated Iranian attacks on UAE cities, which have targeted civilian infrastructure and disrupted air traffic and tourism.

Gulf officials say the UAE sees the risk of Iran’s aggression as worth confronting, despite the potential long-term tensions it could create. The UAE also proposes US occupation of contested islands, in the strategic waterway including Abu Musa.

This marks a dramatic change from the UAE’s previous attempts to mediate between the US and Iran.