Iran news and live updates: US confirm fighter jets shot down by Kuwaiti friendly fire as IDF bombs Tehran
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Key Events
Middle East conflict: Here’s the latest
- The United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple senior Iranian military and political figures.
- President Donald Trump said operations would continue “until all of our objectives are achieved,” and warned there could be further casualties.
- The US has confirmed three American service members have been killed, the first official US deaths since strikes began.
- Iran has responded by launching hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel and targets across the Persian Gulf.
- Iranian state media reports more than 100 people were killed in a missile strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, one of the deadliest incidents of the campaign.
- Hezbollah has entered the conflict, launching rockets and drones from Lebanon into northern Israel.
- Israel has carried out retaliatory strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. Explosions have also been reported in Tel Aviv.
- The UK has authorised the use of British bases for US defensive operations. Australia has ruled out participating in military action.
- Oil prices have surged amid concerns about disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
- Widespread airspace closures across the Middle East have led to flight cancellations and significant travel disruption.
- Australia has confirmed it has 36 days worth of petrol stockpiled amid concerns over the security of supplies.
- Iran’s security chief has declared the country will not negotiate with the US amid ongoing strikes on Tehran.
- Israel has since escalated strikes on Lebanon, with 31 reported dead in the country’s south.
Ship traffic through Gulf of Hormuz plummets
Shipping numbers through the Gulf of Hormuz has plummeted 70 per cent since the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran, according to ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic.com.
The Gulf is partially owned by Iran.
Iran to appoint a new Supreme Leader ‘quickly’: Cleric
Iranian cleric Alireza Arafi has appeared on state television, saying a group of the regime’s “hard-line” clerics known as the Assembly of Experts will be choosing Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei’s replacement.
Iran bombs Qatari power plant, prompting swift backlash
Qatar’s defence ministry is reporting Iranian drones have attacked two of the country’s power plants.
No casualties have been reported, but the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majid al-Ansari says a “price has to be paid” for the regime’s attack.
Mr al-Ansari says Qatar has been attacked with “more than 100 missiles and scores of drones” which targeted “civilian and commercial infrastructure”.
US confirms fighter jets shot down by Kuwaiti ‘friendly fire’
The three F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft shot down over Kuwait were “mistakenly” shot down by Kuwaiti air defences, US Central Command says.
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” a statement said.
“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”
IDF bombs Tehran, targets regime leaders
The Israeli Defence Force says it has commenced an “additional broad strike” on the Iranian capital on Monday afternoon.
The strike is targeting “Iranian terror regime targets” according to the IDF.
One dead after oil tanker bombed in Gulf of Oman
The Oman News Agency are reporting a Marshall Islands oil tanker has been hit by a drone on Monday afternoon, which killed one crew member.
The killed mariner is believed to be from India.
France ‘ready’ to defend Gulf countries
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says the country is “ready” to defend Gulf countries who are targeted by Iranian missiles and “dragged into a war they did not choose”, according to France 24.
“Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan – France expresses its full support and complete solidarity,” Mr Barrot said.
“It stands ready. . .to take part in their defence.”
Albanese reiterates firm position against Iranian regime
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has released a statement conveying Australia’s position of “abhorrence” against the Iranian regime.
“This is a regime which has engaged in international terrorism support, including, of course, here in Australia,” Mr Albanese said in a video.
“This will be a difficult time, including for Iranian Australians who have relatives and friends in Iran.
“We hope that what emerges is a more democratic and free Iran.”
Iran claims it targeted US fighter aircraft which crashed over Kuwait
Reports from Iranian state television say the regime targeted US aircraft which crashed over Kuwait earlier on Monday.
No further information was reported.
Kuwait’s Defence Ministry says “several” war aircraft crashed in its airspace, although all pilots were able to evacuate and are in a stable condition in hospital.
US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facility, ambassador says
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Iranian ambassador Reza Najafi says the Natanz nuclear enrichment site south of Tehran was targeted by US-Israeli strikes.
“Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Najafi said.
“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie.”
The Natanz site was targeted by US forces during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025.
Neither Israel or the US have confirmed the targeted strike.
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