US-Iran war updates: Australian petrol stations run dry, ‘largest bridge’ cut in half

The defence minister is refusing to comment on the deployment of special forces to the Middle East but has again insisted Australia will not put “boots on the ground” in Iran as part of any US-led military operation.

Sources have told The Nightly that elite Australian troops have been constantly rotating out of the Al Minhad air base in the United Arab Emirates for “some time”, and well before the latest conflict in the region began in late February.

A Daily Telegraph report stating that a “contingent of about 90 Special Air Services members was sent to region two weeks ago” has put renewed focus on Australia’s military presence in the area as the Iran war continues.

“We don’t comment on the movements of our special forces but let me be absolutely clear: we are not having boots on the ground in Iran, and we’ve made that very clear from the outset of this conflict,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said in response.

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Fires are burning across several units of a refinery owned by Kuwait’s national oil compnay after a drone attack.

“Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) told KUNA that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted in a drone attack early this morning, resulting in fires in several operational units,” KUNA, Kuwait’s state run media, reported.

KUNA said emergency teams are working to bring the fires under control.

Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to catch up with family and friends and take it easy on the roads over Easter, but made no mention of the fuel crisis that is cutting some holiday plans short.

The Prime Minister’s online Easter message urged everyone to “relish” the long weekend opportunity to recharge.

Read the PM’s full message here

The United Nations Security Council has delayed a vote scheduled for Friday (Saturday in Australia) to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

The council was set to decide whether the use of “defensive” force to protect the shipping route from Iranian attacks should be authorised.

Even though it was known that the vote would fall on Good Friday, diplomatic sources say the reason the vote is being moved is because of the public holiday.

No new date has been announced for the vote.

US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to gloat about the might of the US military after a US-Israeli strike on a bridge that killed 8 people.

“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran,” he said.

“Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!

“New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has issued a grim update on Australian fuel supplies after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Aussies to get on the road and enjoy the Easter long weekend.

On Good Friday, Mr Bowen confirmed the following numbers.

NSW: 182 petrol stations without diesel, 48 stations completely “out of stock”.

VIC: 76 stations with no diesel and 37 out of unleaded.

QLD: 75 stations without diesel, 24 with no unleaded

WA: 37 with no diesel, 58 with no unleaded

SA: 28 stations with no diesel, 15 without unleaded

TAS: 14 stations without diesel or petrol

NT: Five stations with no diesel and four without any unleaded

Sharing the numbers, Mr Bowen again told Australians not to “panic buy”.

Latika M Bourke writes: European leaders have turned a page on their attempts to pacify and appease the volatile President in the White House.

As 40 countries and international organisations, including Australia, met online to discuss ways to try and stop Iran from holding “the global economy hostage,” a blunt Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump to get serious and that world politics was “not a show.”

The French President’s sharp critique followed Mr Trump’s personal attack on Mr Macron’s marriage and threat to withdraw from NATO.

But it is more than just a tit-for-tat. Mr Macron’s willingness to punch back signals the end of Europe’s attempts to appease the volatile US President.

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Reports have emerged claiming Australia has sent 90 SAS troops to the Middle East, strategically positioned in case the situation deteriorates further.

The ​Daily Telegraph​ reported the claim, suggesting the group of elite Special Air Services troops were deployed two weeks ago.

On Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying troops on the ground in Iran.”

It is understood that the troops will not engage in conflict and may be positioned to evacuate diplomats if necessary.

Dozens of countries are seeking ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said securing the waterway was for others to resolve.

UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Iran’s “recklessness” in blockading the Strait was “hitting our global economic security” as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included Australia, France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India.

“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Ms Cooper said in opening remarks broadcast to the media before the rest of the meeting took place behind closed doors.

The United States did not attend the talks, one official said.

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US President Donald Trump has confirmed Iran’s largest bridge had been destroyed by a US-Israeli strike, warning Tehran it should make a deal before it’s too late.

“The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Much more to follow!

“IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!”

The bridge, in Karaj, north-west of Tehran, has been cut in half according to local media.