Australia has announced a temporary six‑month ban on Iranian passport holders entering the country for tourism or work purposes. The decision, confirmed by the Home Affairs Department on March 26, 2026, was attributed to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The ministry stated that the risk of short‑term visa holders overstaying their permitted period had increased due to instability in Iran. Exceptions will apply in limited cases, such as for parents of Australian citizens.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that many visitor visas issued before the current situation in Iran might not have been approved if applied for now. He emphasized that permanent settlement in Australia should be a formal decision, not an outcome of temporary visits. Official data show that more than 85,000 Iranian‑born residents currently live in Australia, mainly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Earlier in the month, diplomatic tensions rose after Australia granted asylum to seven members of Iran’s women’s football team who refused to sing the national anthem during an Asian Cup match. Five of them later withdrew their asylum requests amid pressure on their families in Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian leaders informally offered him the position of Iran’s next Supreme Leader. He made the statement on Wednesday at a Republican Congressional Committee fundraising event in Washington, asserting that Iran is desperate to reach a deal but afraid to admit it publicly.

According to Trump, Iranian officials expressed strong interest in negotiating with the United States but feared backlash from their own citizens and possible consequences from the U.S. itself. He said he declined the alleged offer, telling them he was not interested in the role.

The remarks come amid broader tensions involving Iran, including reports of intelligence sharing with Russia and regional warnings from the Gulf Cooperation Council about Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen sharply as the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran enters its 26th day. The Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday shows only 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, down from 40 percent the previous week. The decline follows rising fuel prices and growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living, which have intensified since the February 28 launch of the Iran offensive.

The survey indicates that only 25 percent of respondents are satisfied with Trump’s handling of living costs, and just 29 percent approve of his economic management—both record lows for his presidency. Despite this, Trump retains strong backing among Republicans, with only one in five expressing overall dissatisfaction. However, discontent among Republicans over his handling of living costs has risen to 34 percent from 27 percent the previous week.

Public support for the Iran attack has also weakened, with 35 percent of Americans now backing the operation compared to 37 percent a week earlier, while opposition has grown to 61 percent. The ongoing conflict has driven up global oil prices and could further strain economies if prolonged.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated that Iranian leaders are engaged in talks with Washington aimed at ending conflict in the Middle East. Speaking on Wednesday at a Republican Congressional Committee fundraising event in Washington, Trump said that despite public statements rejecting the U.S. peace plan, Iran’s leadership is in communication with his administration.

Trump disputed Iranian leaders’ denials, asserting that they are eager to reach an agreement but are afraid to admit it. He claimed that Iranian officials fear retaliation from their own people or possible harm from the United States if they acknowledge the discussions. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

The comments come amid ongoing regional tensions and concerns that prolonged conflict could intensify energy shortages and instability across Asia, according to the same report.

Senior officials from the Trump administration are preparing for a meeting in Pakistan later this week to discuss ways to end the ongoing war with Iran, according to two senior officials who spoke to CNN. The current plan includes Vice President JD Vance and possibly other top administration figures traveling to Pakistan, though the timing, location, and participants may still change due to security concerns.

Sources indicated that Turkey is also being considered as an alternative venue for the talks. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the current U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts and has already conveyed Washington’s 15-point proposal to Tehran, which covers issues such as Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Turkey is also playing a role in the process.

Discussions about the trip are continuing at the White House, and President Donald Trump confirmed that Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are leading the negotiations with Iran, though it remains uncertain who among them will travel abroad for the talks.

The Pentagon is preparing to send several thousand additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, according to a Reuters report cited by the source. The deployment could include members of the elite 82nd Airborne Division. The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s consideration of expanding military options in the region, including possible operations involving Iranian territory.

The report notes that the U.S. military has declined to comment, referring questions to the White House. The conflict, now in its fourth week, has already disrupted global oil prices and caused instability in international stock markets. Analysts suggest that further troop deployments could intensify the situation and prolong the ongoing hostilities.

The developments highlight growing uncertainty in the Middle East, where multiple regional powers are engaged in escalating military actions, including reported attacks involving Israel and Iran.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the current state of global conflicts gives the impression that a third world war has already begun. Speaking at a meeting of the Gorchakov Fund’s Board of Trustees, he said some international relations experts have started describing ongoing regional conflicts as part of a global war. Lavrov attributed recent events in Latin America and the Middle East to Western efforts to maintain dominance and accused Western political elites of expending their remaining political and economic resources to confront Russia.

Lavrov expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly worsening relations between Iran and its neighbors. He accused the United States and Israel of military aggression against Iran and warned that the situation could threaten global trade, energy security, and international communication systems. He said Russia is in contact with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council countries to share its assessments.

He added that Russia supports dialogue-based solutions in the Middle East, backs Cuba’s sovereign development rights, and continues cooperation with Arab and Muslim nations to ensure a just resolution of the Palestinian issue in line with UN resolutions.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 24 at the White House that Iran is 'very desperate' to reach a deal to end the ongoing conflict. He stated that Washington is in contact with 'appropriate people' in Tehran but did not specify who they are. Trump hinted that Iran might offer a major oil and gas proposal and claimed that the U.S. holds the upper hand, asserting that much of Iran’s military capability has been destroyed. However, field reports indicate Iran still controls the Hormuz Strait, raising doubts about his statements.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s remarks as 'fake news.' Reports suggest Washington sent Tehran a 15-point proposal through Pakistan, possibly including halting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Hormuz Strait. Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo noted that Trump faces domestic pressure over the costly and unpopular war, with polls showing most Americans oppose attacks on Iran.

Analyst Negar Mortazavi said Iran aims to end the war on its own terms, seeking both security and economic benefits. Meanwhile, Israel’s government confirmed no change in its military plans, and the U.S. is preparing to deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the roles of Gulf countries during a wartime situation, describing the United Arab Emirates as an 'excellent' state and Qatar as a 'wonderful' one. The remarks were reported on March 25, 2026, citing BBC as the source.

The report highlighted Trump's positive assessment of the Gulf nations' conduct during the ongoing conflict period. It also referenced related regional developments, including Iran’s eagerness to reach an agreement, Saudi Arabia’s claim of intercepting 11 drones, the Philippines’ declaration of a national energy emergency, and a drone attack at Kuwait International Airport.

These statements and events underscore the tense geopolitical environment in the Gulf region, with multiple nations responding to security and energy challenges.

The Pentagon is planning to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying several thousand additional troops. Two individuals familiar with the matter told Reuters that the United States will send members of the specialized 82nd Airborne Division as part of this expansion. They did not specify which country the troops would be stationed in or when the deployment would take place.

When contacted, the US military referred Reuters to the White House for comment. However, the White House declined to make any immediate statement on the matter. The report was originally cited by Al Jazeera.

The move signals a continued focus by the United States on maintaining a strong military posture in the Middle East, though key details about the deployment remain undisclosed.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iran’s energy and power infrastructure after Tehran ignored his 48-hour ultimatum to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that the decision was postponed for five days, claiming progress toward a comprehensive resolution between the two nations. However, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf denied any talks, accusing Washington of spreading false news to manipulate oil and financial markets.

Amid the standoff, Iran launched multiple missile attacks on Israel overnight, damaging Tel Aviv, Nazareth, and Haifa and injuring thousands, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel and the United States carried out extensive airstrikes on Iranian targets, including over 50 sites. The U.S. was also blamed for a deadly strike on Iraq’s Anbar province that killed at least 15 members of the Shia Popular Mobilization Forces.

Oil prices fluctuated following Trump’s announcement, briefly dropping to $96 before rebounding to around $103 per barrel. The conflict has intensified across Lebanon and the wider region, with rising civilian casualties and displacement.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has won the ongoing war with Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that the U.S. is now engaged in direct talks with Iran. He said Iran has agreed to the main American demand of never possessing nuclear weapons. Trump added that discussions are still continuing and expressed hope that the conflict would soon end, though he could not confirm it with certainty.

Trump further asserted that the U.S. objective of bringing about a change in Iran’s governing system has been achieved. According to him, even third-tier leaders in Iran have been removed from power, and the top leadership is no longer in control. He reiterated that the U.S. goals have been met and declared, “We have won this war.” The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The statements suggest that Washington and Tehran are in a phase of negotiation following a period of conflict, with the U.S. claiming strategic success and Iran reportedly seeking a deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week.

The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation.

The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

U.S. President Donald Trump has attempted to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of the Safe Task Force in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump said Hegseth was the first among his administration members to advise him to launch an attack on Iran. During the discussion, Trump recalled consulting several senior officials about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.

At the meeting, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said he had called in military leaders to discuss Iran’s alleged terrorism over the past 47 years and its proximity to obtaining nuclear weapons. He quoted Hegseth as having urged immediate action to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons. While assigning blame, Trump also praised Hegseth’s role and leadership.

Trump further claimed that the United States was engaged in positive discussions with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities dismissed his statement as “fake news,” calling it a delaying tactic. The remarks were reported by The Hill.

Journalists at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have announced a 24-hour strike starting Wednesday, marking the first such action in two decades. The decision follows the rejection of a management proposal to raise wages by 10 percent over three years. Around 60 percent of ABC journalists voted against the offer, citing inflation of 3.8 percent in January and dissatisfaction with the proposal’s omission of key issues such as maternity leave and the use of artificial intelligence.

Union representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance said the offer would reduce working conditions, fail to keep up with inflation, and allow AI bots to replace journalists. The Community and Public Sector Union also warned that broadcast disruptions were inevitable until a fair proposal was made. ABC’s Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the offer as financially responsible and sustainable under current conditions.

To resolve the dispute, ABC has sought assistance from Australia’s Fair Work Commission. The last strike by ABC employees occurred in 2006 over similar pay and workplace concerns.