US-Iran war live updates: Kurdish fighters, armed by the US and Israel, begin ground incursion from Iraq

Qatar is evacuating residents near its US embassy in Doha as a “precautionary” measure, according to the ministry of interior.

“In the framework of maintaining public safety, the Ministry of Interior announces that the relevant authorities are evacuating residents living in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy as a temporary precautionary measure,” it said in a statement on X.

Many US citizens are attempting to flee the region, barred by the suspension and cancellation of commerical flights.

Iran has reportedly struck a military base near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, a site used by US forces in the Middle East.

The US has not yet commented on the latest strike. The base has been targeted multiple times in recent days.

US military personnel are often housed at the base, which provides logistical support to armed forces across the Middle East.

Multiple but unconfirmed reports have suggested that US forces had been sent to the base in recent hours.

Iranian state TV has reported that the IRGC is conducting strikes on “anti-Iran separatist forces in the Kurdistan of Iraq after reports emerged that Kurdish fighters, armed by the US, had begun a ground incursion”.

Strikes have been reported in Northern Iraq, reportedly targeting the headquarters of Kurdish armed groups.

Multiple explosions have been reported in Sanandaj, Iran, from a suspected US strike on Iranian state broadcasting services.

Sanandaj, a city in Iran’s west with a population of 850,000, is located near the reported location of US and Israeli armed Kurdish militants who have commenced a ground incursion operation from the Iraqi border.

It is understood that the strikes targeted a radio station.

Video quickly emerged of the strike on social media, showing the strikes hitting an already burning building.

When asked if the Five Eyes Alliance is still a viable operating model or if it requires modernising, Mark Carney said it was still “continuing to function very well”.

“There are many challenges, but there are many things that continue to function very well, and the Five Eyes would be top of that,” Mr Carney said.

The Five Eyes Alliance is an intelligence-sharing relationship between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK.

Canadian PM Mark Carney says “one can never categorically rule out participation” when asked about the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking in Australia during his three-day tour Downunder, the PM declared Canda would “always stand by and defend our allies” but was clear to label the strikes on Iran as an “offensive” action by the US and Israel.

“One can never categorically rule out participation. We will stand by our allies,” he said.

“But it makes sense there’s a distinction between the offensive actions that were taken and are being taken by the United States and Israel, that were taken by them without consultation with Canada, with other with other allies.

“We will always defend Canadians. We will always stand by and defend our allies when called upon.”

The US has armed groups of Kurdish militant fighters, through CIA negotiations, with a ground incursion now beginning in Iran.

The Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan (CPFIK) says the group started an operation on March 2, and is now in Iranian territory on the Iraq border, ready to carry out a ground assault. It is understood that it is working with the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), which is based in Iraq.

Reports suggest the group are currently situated near Marivan, just west of the closest Iraqi border point to Tehran.

It is understood that the group, after being supplied with weapons from the US and Israel, have stood up thousands of fighters.

Iran has disputed the claims despite growing reports of the validity of the operation.

If a ground operation is underway and Iran fights back, it could bring a lynchpin moment that sparks a wider ground incursion by US and Israeli forces.

Anthony Albanese and Canadian PM Mark Carney have been asked about their concern over the escalating Middle East conflict, which has now impacted more than 10 countries.

Mr Albanese said, “the world wants to see a de-escalation” and for Iran to “cease” its retaliatory strikes on other nations, particularly across the Gulf.

“I want to see the possibility of Iran getting a nuclear weapon removed once and for all. And I also want to see a removal of the ongoing threat that has been there for such a long period of time, of Iran endangering peace and security and stability, not just in its own region, but here in Australia,” the PM said.

Mr Carney said he agreed “entirely” with Mr Albanese’s remarks and criticised the regime.

“It’s a regime first and foremost, in its own country, for almost five decades, has repressed its people, repressed women, killed its people, large numbers,” he said.

“Even in recent weeks, up to 15,000 peaceful demonstrators murdered by this regime. It’s a regime that’s exported terrorism for decades across the Middle East, it’s reached the shores here, the regime has killed scores of Canadians”.

Canadian PM Mark Carney says it had been a “deep honour” to address the Australian Parliament.

The foreign leader had declared that Canada and Australia shared a strong friendship and strategic alliance and highlighted their shared values, historical cooperation, and mutual interests in critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence, trade, and capital.

“It was a deep honour to address the Australian Parliament,” he said, labelling Australia as one of Canada’s “most trusted allies” during a press conference in Mr Albanese’s courtyard.

“In the past, just under one year, we’ve signed 20 new economic and security partnerships across four continents.

“Canada and Australia are getting big things done together.

“First and foremost, amongst them, those who share our values of democracy, freedom, and sovereignty.

“We know that middle powers must work together to build up our sovereignty in these key strategic sectors.”

Anthony Albanese and Mark Carney have held a press conference in Canberra after the Canadian Prime Minister’s address to the Australian Parliament.

Mr Albanese spoke of their achievements after a meeting between the duo on Thursday morning.

“With the international system under increasing pressure, we want to work together,” the PM said.

“And with our partners, to uphold and defend peace, security and prosperity.

“Today, we can announce that we’ve agreed to our relationship across several areas.

“Building on our joint declaration of intent on critical minerals we signed last year, we agreed to increase collaboration on critical minerals through a range of measures. Pursuing common positions on key critical minerals, increasing alignment between Australia’s critical mineral strategy reserve and Canada’s defence stockpiling, together to shape emerging as well as production alliances.”