US-Iran war updates: Navy primed for Middle East deployment, Trump confirms blockade on Strait of Hormuz

The UK will not take part US President Donald Trump’s blockade of Iran’s ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the BBC.

British naval ships and personnel will not be deployed to block Iranian ports, but minesweepers and anti-drone capabilities will remain active in the area.

“We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” a UK government spokesperson said.

Australia’s incoming defence chief has declared the Navy he now commands can deploy a warship to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Prime Minister on Monday confirmed that chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, would assume the military’s top job in July, while Lieutenant General Susan Coyle would become Australia’s first female service chief as the next head of Army.

Admiral Hammond will replace Admiral David Johnston who has served as Defence Chief since 2024, while Air Marshal Robert Chipman will continue to serve as Vice Chief of Defence.

Lt. Gen Coyle, who currently serves as Chief of Joint Capability, will replace Lt. Gen Simon Stuart who has commanded the Army since 2022, while Deputy Navy Chief Rear Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley, will take over from Admiral Hammond as Chief of Navy.

While unveiling the reshuffle of the military’s top ranks, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister praised General Coyle’s appointment as an “historic” moment as the Government prepares to also release its latest defence strategy later this week.

Anthony Albanese acknowledged Lt. Gen Coyle had first enlisted as a soldier in the Army reserves in 1987, before rising to the organisation’s top job.

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US President Donald Trump is using the two week Iran “ceasefire” to pump out some fresh content on Truth Social, but many Christians aren’t happy with his most recent post.

Mr Trump took to the platform to post an AI generated image of himself as Jesus Christ barely two hours after he called Pope Leo XIV “weak”.

The detailed picture shows the US President, decked out in white, seemingly healing a sick man, his hands holding the light of the heavens.

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Benchmark oil prices surged in early Asian trade after US President Donald Trump said he would blockade the Strait of Hormuz to prevent any energy tankers from transiting the waterway bordered by Iran and Oman.

Brent Crude futures for May delivery jumped 8.7 per cent to $US104.80 a barrel and US WTI oil rose 7.4 per cent to $US104.22 a barrel, after prices fell last week on the back of Iran and the US agreeing to a 10-point peace plan for two weeks.

The move higher in oil also comes after talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan ended without a definite peace deal on Sunday.

“Trump said he would implement a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, stopping the trickle of vessels, primarily from China, that have been traversing the strait,” said ANZ Bank’s economics team.

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Donald Trump has shut down the world’s busiest oil waterway after failed peace talks with Iran. The latest update in the war between the US and Iran will have major global impacts, with Middle Eastern oil drastically cut off.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Mr Trump says there is no lack of oil supply, telling countries that have purchased oil that transits through the Strait to change where they buy and to come straight to the US.

In his move, there are three prominent goals he may be attempting to achieve, which will have a huge impact on the US, the Middle East and the world.

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The incoming Chief of Defence Mark Hammond has declared the Australian Navy can deploy a warship to assist US-led efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, if a request is received.

“We’ve got 10 surface combatants right now, eight of them are at sea today. The navy is as ready as it ever has been,” Vice Admiral Hammond told reporters, after being announced as the next CDF.

“They are fitted with one of the most advanced radars in the world … and some of the most advanced missile and point defence systems in the world. Are they capable of performing the mission as Admiral Johnstone said last week? Absolutely.”

“The question of contribution is one for consideration by the Australian government should they receive a request and there’s been no such request as yet.”

Donald Trump has unleashed fury toward Pope Leo in a wild post online after he was critical of the US President’s war with Iran.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Mr Trump wrote.

“He talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart.”

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.

“And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.”

Mr Trump said Pope Leo was “weak on nuclear weapons” and should “get his act together”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says that a deal was close, but was not reached due to “shifting goalposts, and a blockade”.

“In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war,” he wrote on X.

“But when just inches away from “Islamabad MoU”, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.

“Zero lessons earned Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”

Mr Trump expects Iran to return to the negotiating table.

Iran has warned of a “strong and forceful response” if US Navy vessels go near the Strait of Hormuz and attempt to enforce US President Donald Trump’s blockade.

“Contrary to the false claims of certain enemy officials, the Strait of Hormuz is open for the passage of non-military vessels under smart control and management, in accordance with specific regulations,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said through two semi-official Iranian news agencies.

Anthony Albanese has admitted that Australia “should look” at local production of oil, blaming past governments for the current production position.

“We should look at where we can have more things made in Australia,” Mr Albanese told Sunrise.

Asked about the Great Australian Bight, Mr Albanese refused to take responsibility for the operation not proceeding.

“The Great Australian Bight (project) was approved by the former government,” Mr Albanese said, adding licensing expired because the cost, at the time, was deemed uncommercial.

“Four out of six of Australia’s fuel refineries shut down under the previous government.”