US, Iran war live updates: Australian service stations out of fuel as Trump delays Strait of Hormuz deadline

Australia’s fuel supply “cliff” will hit at the end of April, when the refineries Australia relies on “exhaust their inventories”, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The news comes after hundreds of service stations across the country have run out of fuel on Tuesday due to increased demand.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced a reduction of diesel standards to ease demand of supply earlier today, as the federal government continues negotiations with Asian and European markets to secure replacement fuel.

The pause on US strikes on Iran will only apply to the country’s energy production sites, according to a US official speaking to Semafor.

The information comes after President Trump claimed he had been in “productive” talks with the Iranian regime to “make a deal” between the countries.

Iranian officials continue to deny its government has been involved with any negotiations with the Trump administration.

“The stop on attacks for five days is only on their energy sites,” the US official said.

US President Donald Trump has said his country will “keep bombing our little hearts out” if negotiations with Iran are not able to result in a “deal” to open the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening US time.

“They want very much to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal too,” President Trump said.

“We’re going to get together today, by probably phone, because it’s very hard to make a country, it’s very hard for them to get out.”

President Trump made reference to the five-day extension to the deadline, which was originally due to expire on Tuesday morning before he backed down.

“We’ll see how that goes, and if it goes well, we’re going to end up. . .settling this,” he said.

“Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has just provided an update on fuel shortages across states and territories to the Federal Parliament during Question Time.

NSW: 164 stations are without diesel, 289 are without at least one type of fuel.

Queensland: 55 stations are without diesel, 35 are without regular unleaded.

Victoria: 162 stations are without one or more grades of fuel.

South Australia: 46 stations are without one or more grades of fuel.

Western Australia: Six stations have no fuel.

Tasmania: One station has no diesel, six stations have no unleaded fuel.

Northern Territory: No stations are without fuel because of supply issues, some may be impacted by weather events.

ACT: No shortages.

Thanks for joining us as we continue our live coverage of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s events:

• US President Donald Trump has extended a ‘deadline’ he imposed on Iran, demanding the Strait of Hormuz be reopened after negotiations. Iranian officials have claimed they are not negotiating with the US.
• Iran has claimed it has “special events” planned to target Israel and US allies.
• Oil prices tumbled overnight after US President Donald Trump said the US and Iran made strong progress towards a complete peace deal in talks over the weekend, despite Iran’s denial.
• On our home front, hundreds of petrol stations around Australia have run out of petrol, with many also running out of diesel. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has also announced easing of diesel standards.
• Pro-government rallies have been held in the Iranian capital of Tehran, as well as in other cities around the country.
• Lebanon, Israel, and Iran continue to be hit by airstrikes as the death toll of the war rises in the 25th day of the war.

The Israel Defence Force says “rescue and recovery forces” are working at a missile impact site in the north of the country.

The announcement comes after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps say its missiles “passed through several” Israeli missile defence systems.

One person suffered shrapnel wounds as a result, according to Israeli emergency services.

“It is necessary to avoid gatherings in these areas,” an IDf statement said.

The Lebanese Health Ministry is reporting two people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on a residential area in Bchamoun, southeast of the country’s capital of Beirut, AP is reporting.

Five people were also injured in the strike, which AP says “came without warning”.

An area of the Pentagon building in Washington DC which has been used by journalists to report on the US military for decades will be closed, spokesperson Sean Parnell says.

The announcement comes just days after the US District Court judge ruled in favour of the New York Times in a lawsuit contesting journalists’ restricted access to the Pentagon.

The journalists’ area, known as Correspondents’ Corridor, will be closed “effective immediately” according to Mr Parnell, who says the Defence Department “disagrees” with the Court’s decision and will be appealing.

“In assessing the Department’s security posture following the court’s removal of all security screening authority, the Department determined that unescorted access to the Pentagon cannot be responsibly maintained without the ability to screen credential holders for security risks,” Mr Parnell said.

“All journalist access to the Pentagon will require escort by authorized Department personnel. Credential holders will continue to have access to the Pentagon for scheduled press briefings, press conferences, and interviews arranged through public affairs offices.”

A new “press workspace” will be built in an “annex facility” to the Pentagon, Mr Parnell said.

The federal government will impose temporary adjustments to Australia’s diesel standards for the next six months, The Australian is reporting, which is aimed at increasing supply and broadening import market options.

“This six-month adjustment will lower what’s known as the flashpoint for diesel, from 61.5C, to 60.5C, increasing diesel supply options from refiners and international sources,” Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.

“In effect, Australian refineries will now have more flexibility for making diesel, and widen the markets from which we source diesel, including from the United States, Canada, and Europe, which allow diesel with lower flashpoints.

“This will give companies more flexibility and more options to adjust supply chains to manage disruption from the Middle East.”

The lower standards will have no impact on engines or emissions, according to Mr Bowen, and have been backed by the Truck Industry Council, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Induestries, and the Australian Automobile Association.

“Today’s announcement builds on these plans and ensures our nation’s energy resilience during this period of increased uncertainty overseas,” Mr Bowen said.

Israeli airstrikes have hit seven targeted areas in Beirut’s south, according to Lebanon’s state-operated National News Agency.

“Enemy warplanes launched seven raids overnight on the southern suburbs,” the Agency said.