Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to a significant deterioration in the security situation. All Australian diplomatic staff stationed in Iran have been instructed to leave the country immediately.

In an official statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “We are actively working on contingency plans to assist Australian citizens currently in Iran. We remain in close contact with our international partners to monitor the situation.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) also announced that consular staff will be deployed to neighboring Azerbaijan, particularly near the Iranian border, to assist Australians seeking to leave Iran.

The United States has restarted student visa appointments for international students, introducing tougher screening procedures. Applicants must now make their social media accounts public for thorough background checks. Visa officers will assess content for anti-American sentiment or ties to extremist views. The policy applies to F, M, and J visa categories. Private accounts may be seen as attempts to hide information. The Trump administration emphasizes these steps are aimed at protecting national security and preventing threats from entering the country.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed back against recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal, saying the outlet has no insight into his position on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The Wall Street Journal has no idea what I’m thinking regarding Iran. I haven’t made a decision yet. Everyone’s asking, but let’s see what happens.”

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Trump’s team had given preliminary approval for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but held off on final authorization, hoping that Tehran might reconsider its nuclear ambitions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have jointly condemned Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran, describing them as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter.

In a phone call held on Thursday, both leaders called for immediate de-escalation and stressed that a diplomatic resolution—not a military one—is the only viable solution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and regional tensions. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated, “Both Moscow and Beijing believe there is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.”

President Xi further emphasized the responsibility of major powers in the region, urging them to take a more active diplomatic role in reducing tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russian specialists will remain in Iran despite growing fears of an Israeli attack. He emphasized the ongoing collaboration at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant and ruled out any withdrawal. Putin stated that while Iran hasn't asked for new military aid, Moscow maintains strong ties and open communication. He warned against regime-change strategies and called for diplomatic dialogue that ensures both Iran’s and Israel’s security. His remarks underscore Russia’s strategic positioning in the Middle East.

Former President Donald Trump has acknowledged division among his supporters regarding potential U.S. military action against Iran. “Some of my people may be a little unhappy, while others are very happy,” he said.

He claimed that his support has never been stronger: “My supporters love me more now than even during the landslide victory. And even people outside the MAGA base are happy with what's happening—though they can hardly believe it themselves.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that, despite internal political complications, the Iranian people are uniting around their leadership. When asked about threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to comment specifically but noted growing national solidarity in Iran.

He added that Israel’s initial aim was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, not to cause regime change. “Israel has failed to strike Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites—they remain intact. It's time for all sides to pursue compromise,” Putin said.

The possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran has sparked division within former President Donald Trump's support base—particularly among his core "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) followers. Many are voicing strong opposition to involving the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict.

Prominent Trump ally and former White House strategist Steve Bannon warned, “We can't do this again. We don’t want another Iraq.” Influential MAGA voice Tucker Carlson also criticized any move toward military escalation. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed these sentiments, saying, “Those who want to drag the U.S. into a war between Israel and Iran are not true MAGA. We're tired of endless foreign wars.”

A group of demonstrators staged a protest in front of the White House, urging the U.S. government to stay out of any potential war between Israel and Iran. Protesters also decried the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Israel. With three U.S. aircraft carriers currently stationed in the Middle East, activists demanded that military assets on board—including aircraft and munitions—be used strictly for defense.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed any U.S. involvement in a potential Israel-Iran conflict. In a statement, Sanders wrote, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the president of the United States and does not determine our foreign or military policy." He emphasized that if Israel chooses to go to war with Iran, it is their decision—and the U.S. should stay out of it entirely.

The Wall Street Journal reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted policy-level approval for a potential military strike on Iran to halt its nuclear program. However, he has not yet issued a final order.

Trump is reportedly waiting to see whether Tehran shows willingness to reach a last-minute agreement. One of the potential U.S. targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which could only be destroyed with the most powerful bombs available.

When previously asked about the possibility of a strike, Trump commented ambiguously: “I may or may not do it.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue military operations against Iran. Speaking outside the White House, Trump confirmed daily conversations with Netanyahu and expressed strong support for his actions. When asked about a potential U.S. attack on Iran, Trump remained vague, saying no one knows what he might do. He added that Iran is in trouble and now wants to negotiate, but criticized them for not coming to the table earlier when they had the chance.

The United States is set to deploy a third aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, near the Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Although the deployment was pre-planned, growing regional instability suggests the carrier may move closer to potential conflict zones. Another carrier may also be repositioned to either replace or join the USS Carl Vinson. These moves underscore a significant escalation in U.S. military presence, raising the risk of direct involvement in any future confrontation.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the Pentagon is fully prepared to execute any military orders from President Donald Trump regarding Iran. During a Senate hearing, he refrained from disclosing whether specific attack options had been presented but emphasized that the Department of Defense stands ready to implement decisions related to war or peace. This statement highlights the US’s active preparation amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, with the Pentagon awaiting the President’s instructions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he told Putin to first resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war before getting involved elsewhere. Trump emphasized that it would be more appropriate for Putin to address his own country’s conflict rather than interfering in other global crises. The statement underscores the U.S. stance on prioritizing Russia’s accountability in the Ukraine war before accepting its role as a peacemaker.