US-Iran war updates: US Iran 45-day ceasefire talks reportedly underway after Trump Strait of Hormuz deadline

US-Israeli strikes have killed the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence organisation, according to state media.

Major General Seyyed Majid Khademi was killed in a “terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy” early on Monday morning, the IRGC said in a statement.

The energy shock caused by the war in the Middle East caught China, the world’s top buyer of oil, by surprise. But Beijing has been preparing for a crisis like this for years.

China has stockpiled increasingly large amounts of oil. It has pursued renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and hydropower so aggressively that its demand for refined oil, diesel and gasoline is falling.

And it has harnessed technology to reduce its reliance on the foreign-sourced raw materials that go into the massive output of its factories.

China’s ruling Communist Party has long viewed its industries as the foundation of its national security strategy. It has sharpened — and expanded — that approach since President Donald Trump’s first term. China has doubled down on policies to build up local industries, in turn strengthening its global dominance over resources and supply chains.

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Demand for fuel has spiked by a third during the Easter break as Australia secures more petrol and diesel.

The nation had supply until mid-April, but more orders have been locked in, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.

“We now have security of supply through April and now into May,” he told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

“But as we’ve indicated on multiple occasions, we recognise that it’s a difficult international environment and there are risks to supply chains as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.”

Mr Bowen said fuel companies reported demand during Easter had been 30 per cent higher than the previous one.

“If you’re storing fuel at home, that’s very dangerous,” he said.

“It’s not recommended and it doesn’t help the situation, it makes the situation worse for all of us.”

In NSW, 142 out of 2400 service stations are without diesel, slightly down on Sunday’s figures.

Thirty-nine servos have no fuel.

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A suspected cluster munition has struck in Haifa, Israel, with two bodies already located.

“Rescue operations and attempts are still ongoing at this time in an effort to reach two additional trapped/unaccounted-for individuals,” a statement from Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service said.

Video from the scene circulated online showing flames outside a building as emergency crews responded.

The United States and Iran are in discussions over a possible 45-day ceasefire, according to reports, as efforts ramp up to de-escalate tensions and work towards a longer-term resolution.

Axios reported that US and Iranian officials, along with regional mediators, are negotiating the framework of a temporary truce that could pave the way for a permanent end to the conflict, citing four sources familiar with the talks.

There has been no immediate confirmation from Washington, with both the White House and the US State Department yet to respond to requests for comment on the report.

The proposal under discussion is understood to involve a two-stage agreement. The first phase would see a 45-day ceasefire implemented while negotiations continue on a broader deal to formally end the war.

Under the second phase, both sides would aim to reach a lasting agreement to bring the conflict to a close. The report added the ceasefire could be extended if more time is needed to finalise negotiations.

The developments come as US President Donald Trump continues to ramp up pressure on Tehran, warning that if the Straight of Hormuz is not opened by Tuesday evening, the US could move to target key Iranian power plants.

Multiple reports have emerged claiming that Tehran has been filled with a strong smell of gas and sulphur.

Reports suggest that following loud explosions, a continuous loud sound, similar to running gas, has been heard over the city.

“Similar to a massive gas or pressure release, like a ruptured pipeline or tank Accompanied by a strong smell of gas or sulphur,” a message on Telegram read.

Iran’s embassy in Zimbabwe has mocked US President Donald Trump after he issued a demand for the Strait of Hormuz to fully reopen.

The embassy, which has mocked the US President throughout the US-Iran war, wrote on X: “We’ve lost the keys”.

The account for Iran’s embassy in South Africa later added: “Shh... the key’s are under the flowerpot. Just open for friends.”

Oil and diesel prices jumped on Monday as US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges in an expletive-laden social media post.

On Monday morning, Brent Crude futures for May rose 2.1 per cent to $US114.37 a barrel, with US WTI oil futures at $US111.12 a barrel.

London Gas Oil futures - as the benchmark for global diesel - surged 5.7 per cent to $US1567 a metric tonne at their highest level since the war began.

The paper diesel price has now jumped 108 per cent since closing at $US752 per dry metric tonne before the war began on February 26.

The price surge comes after US President Trump said the conflict could last another two to three more weeks from April 1, unless Iran meets his peace conditions including an agreement to reopen energy shipping passage the Strait of Hormuz.

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Hours after Donald Trump told Iran to “open the F..kin’ Strait”, the IRGC Navy has slapped down the US President’s demand, saying the Strait of Hormuz will never be the same for the US or Israel.

“The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its former state, especially for America and Israel,” a statement said.

“The Navy of the IRGC is in the process of completing the operational preparations for the #Announced_Plan of Iran’s officials for the new order in the Persian Gulf.”

It is understood that the IRGC Navy is working on plans to charge countries to pass through the key waterway.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has reiterated his calls for Australians not to panic buy, saying demand at service stations was up 30 per cent over the Easter long weekend.

Speaking on Channel 7’s Sunrise on Monday, Mr Bowen said while shipments were still coming in, the domestic use had risen over the holidays and urged people to only take fuel as they need it “no more, no less”.

“We’ve got the imports coming in just as normal. But we have seen those big spikes in demand,” he said.

“Easter demand was up 30 per cent on Easter before, the fuel companies tell me.

“That means those trucks are going to be working extra overtime to get the fuel around Australia. We can all help by just getting as much fuel as we need.

“Trying to get ahead and panic-buy really does make this problem much, much worse, not better, for everyone.”