Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Peru Moves to Declare State of Emergency at Chile Border as Migrant Tensions Rise 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Afghan Suspect in Deadly Shooting of National Guard Members Faces First-Degree Murder Charge 
Flights Briefly Grounded at Philadelphia International Airport After Bomb Threat Resolved 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
U.S. to Reduce Import Duties on South Korean Autos Under New Trade Agreement 
FDA Names Tracy Beth Høeg as Acting CDER Director After Richard Pazdur Announces Retirement 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Japan Approves $117 Billion Budget to Power Stimulus and Support Growth 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Trump Calls for Permanent Pause on Migration After National Guard Shooting Near White House 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to worsening security as Israel continues airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The escalating Israel-Iran air war, now in its second week, has left foreign diplomats at risk, prompting Australia to activate evacuation contingency plans.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the deployment of Australian defence personnel and aircraft to the Middle East. She clarified that these forces will not be used for combat but are positioned to assist in evacuations once airspace becomes accessible. Wong stressed the volatile security climate in Iran and referenced past dangers faced by foreign officials during regional unrest.
Consular teams are being positioned in neighboring Azerbaijan, near border crossings, to support Australians attempting to leave Iran by land. Wong noted that this border offers the most viable exit route from Tehran. About 2,000 Australians and their families in Iran have sought government assistance to evacuate.
Australia’s ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, will remain in the region to coordinate further response efforts. Wong also confirmed discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the situation but emphasized that no request for Australian military involvement was made.
The conflict began when Israel launched preemptive airstrikes on Iran, citing concerns over potential nuclear weapons development. Iran has denied such ambitions and retaliated with its own attacks on Israeli targets. Tensions continue to rise as the international community monitors the potential for broader involvement, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to decide within two weeks whether to intervene.
The Australian government is urging its citizens to register for assistance and make immediate plans to exit Iran as the situation deteriorates. The rapid escalation underscores growing instability in the Middle East and the risks faced by foreign nationals in conflict zones.
