The photos were used on several websites to promote the Auckland property.

World leaders have reacted to the US and Israel's joint operation – named Epic Fury by the US and Roaring Lion by Israel – targeting Iran on Saturday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese showed his support for the US' actions but Russia, Brazil and Pakistan have all condemned the bilateral attacks.

The majority of European and Middle Eastern leaders are hoping to find a way forward without a nuclear escalation, which was claimed to be the reason for the strikes in the first place.

LIVE UPDATES: Iran vows 'historic lesson' for US after waves of missile attacks

READ MORE: US and Israel launch attack on Iran: What we know

Here's how world leaders and various countries have responded to the surprise strikes:

Australia supports the US taking action against Iran

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government supported the US with its action against Iran.

"We support the [United] States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace security," he said.

He said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil".

"His passing will not be mourned," he said.

The Australian government had previously linked two antisemitic attacks, including the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue in 2024, to the Iranian regime and expelled the Iranian ambassador in August.

Albanese said Australia "stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is an oppressive regime".

"I understand this is a very difficult time for the tens of thousands of Australians with loved ones in the Middle East," he said.

"The days ahead are going to be difficult, they are uncertain."

Foreign Minister Penny Wong also addressed the escalating tensions in the Middle East and confirmed that Australia "stands with" Iranians struggling against an oppressive regime.

"For decades we know the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force through its ballistic nuclear programs [and gave] support for armed proxies and brutal acts of violence and intimidation with the international community," Wong said.

"We have seen a brutal crackdown, killing thousands of its own citizens and you heard me say, that a regime that requires the murder of its own people to maintain authority is a regime without legitimacy."

Germany urges resumption of talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has joined Britain and Franch in calling on the US and Iran to resume talks to reach a negotiated settlement.

"The Iranian people have the right to determine their own future," the country's leader said in a statement posted to social media website X.

"Germany is coordinating closely with the United States, Israel and partners in the region.

"We remain committed to peace and security in the region and to Israel's security."

"Together with France, the United Kingdom and European partners, Germany has repeatedly called on the Iranian leadership to halt its nuclear program, refrain from military strikes and end the violence against its own population.

"Germany calls on Iran to cease military strikes against Israel and other partners in the region.

"The leadership in Tehran must end the violence against its own people and return to a negotiated solution."

New Zealand

New Zealand acknowledged the US and Israeli attacks were keeping the Iranian regime from remaining an ongoing threat.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a joint statement the country

"New Zealand has constantly condemned Iran's nuclear programme, its destabilising activities in the region and elsewhere, and its repression of its own people," Luxon and Peters said.

"Iran has, for decades, defied the will and expectations of the international community.

"The legitimacy of a government rests on the support of its people.

"The Iranian regime has long since lost that support."

Russia

Russia's Foreign Ministry called the strikes "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state."

The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

READ MORE: Who is Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and why was he a target of the US-Israel strikes?

Oman warns US 'not to get sucked in further'

The Omani government was working as mediators between the US and Iran to try and prevent war but talks earlier this week failed to reach a deal.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the active and serious negotiations mediated by his country were "yet again undermined" amid the on-going escalation.

"Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this… I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war," he said on X.

Canada's leader supports US action

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its government from further threatening international peace and security.

He says Canada is clear in its position that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East."

Carney is also urging Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.

https://x.com/markjcarney/status/2027721462233141679

Japan 'monitoring the developments with great concern'

Japan has flagged energy security as a concern but stopped short of condemning either side in the strikes that have been traded on Saturday.

Japan's foreign ministry said that the "situation in the Middle East has a significant impact on Japan, including from the perspective of energy security," adding that the Japanese government "is closely monitoring the developments with great concern."

Spain says strikes have created more 'hostile international order'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that his country "reject(s) the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel, which constitutes an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order."

He said that Spain also "reject(s) the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard," adding: "we cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East."

Spanish Foreign Minister Albares later said on X that Madrid demanded respect for international law, de-escalation and dialogue, showing support and solidarity with those who are receiving the strikes.

"The attacks must stop," he added.

Brazilian government condemns strikes on Iran

The Brazilian government on Saturday condemned US-Israel attacks on Iranian targets and expressed grave concern over the military action.

"The attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region," the government said in a statement.

The Brazilian government appealed to all parties to respect international law and exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalating hostilities and protect civilians.

Its embassies in the region are monitoring developments, with particular attention to Brazilian communities in affected countries, according to the statement.

READ MORE: Luxury Dubai hotel damaged in explosion as missile debris rains down on city

British PM holds emergency meeting

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that while the UK didn't participate in the attack on Iran, its planes provided air defence for its people and allies in the region.

"We've stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level," Starmer said.

The Iranian leadership is "utterly abhorrent", has killed its own people and destabilised the region and should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, Starmer said.

"Iran can end this now," he said.

"They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people."

Britain's immediate priority was the safety of its nationals in the region, and it would provide consular assistance, according to the statement.

The UK's Foreign Office also updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and urged British nationals in other Middle Eastern countries to "immediately shelter in place."

EU calls for restraint and diplomacy

European Union leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in have hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."

"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

"We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law."

Both said that the EU has pushed to resolve critical issues through diplomacy but also has in place "extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards."

They said Brussels was working with the EU's 27 member nations to support the bloc's citizens in the Middle East.

Ukraine's president supports US-led strikes

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for US-led strikes on Iran, calling the country "an accomplice of Putin" for supplying Shahed drones and the technology for Moscow to produce them and other weapons in its four-year war against Ukraine.

"Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

"Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran."

The Ukrainian leader said the emphasis now should be to save as many lives as possible and prevent any expansion of the war.

"It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians," Zelenskyy said.

UN human rights chief deplores strikes

Volker Türk expressed regret about the strikes by Israel and the United States, and the "retaliatory" strikes by Iran.

"As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price," said Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery."

He called for restraint, de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table.

Pakistan condemns attacks on Iran

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as "unwarranted attacks" on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said Dar called for" an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis."

Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian assaults on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan as a breach of their sovereignty.

The Kingdom confirmed that it fully stands by those countries and warned of the "dire consequences of continued breach of sovereignty and violating international principles."

Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to take measures to confront the Iranian assaults that are "undermining" the stability and security of the region.

China urges immediate ceasefire

China's ministry of foreign affairs on Saturday expressed deep concerns over the US and Israel's military strikes against Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire.

The ministry said Iran's national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, and urged all sides to avoid further escalation of tensions, and to resume dialogue and negotiations.

France advises its citizens to exercise caution

France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, has called on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.

President Emmanuel Macron said that "the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security."

https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/2027718192643084649

He wrote on X that "the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop," calling on Iran to "to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilisation activities."

Lebanese PM doesn't want to be dragged into the conflict

Nawaf Salam clarified his position in a brief response, saying his country won't be dragged into the conflict.

"I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," the prime minister said.

Norwegian Foreign Minister says Israel broke international law

Norway's foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide said she believed Israel's rational for the attacks on Iran were outside of legal practices.

"The attack is described by Israel as a preventive strike, but it is not in line with international law," he said.

Preventive attacks require an immediately imminent threat."

'Deeply worrying" turn of event Finnish President says

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that "recent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying".

He adding that "ensuring nuclear safety and long-term security in the region is of utmost importance to all of us."

Finland "condemns all actions that seek to escalate the conflict in the region and urge for utmost restraint," he added.

https://x.com/alexstubb/status/2027738746599157874

Ireland's leader also "deeply concerned"

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin wrote that he is "deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region", urging "all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome."

https://x.com/MichealMartinTD/status/2027731225192890415

Hungary worries about oil pipeline

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that the strikes on Iran have "doubled the importance of the Friendship oil pipeline," which runs through Ukraine and supplies Russian crude oil to his country.

Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and ⁠Slovakia have been cut off since late January, when Kyiv says a ​Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Western Ukraine.

https://x.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/2027719926136344804

Solidarity for Israel from Albania

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country "stand(s) firm with Israel" and "support(s) the United States" in their actions today.

"We fully endorse every decisive effort to prevent once and for all the murderers in Tehran from acquiring nuclear or any other military capacity to harm Israel or any other peace-loving nation in the Middle East," he said.

https://x.com/ediramaal/status/2027714015334432796

– Reported with Associated Press, Reuters and CNN.

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Closed airspace across the Middle East has plunged travel plans into chaos around Australia and the world.

Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates closed their skies hours after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which resulted in numerous flight cancellations.

Australian travellers across the nation and abroad have been left stranded as a result.

LIVE UPDATES: 'THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT': Trump's fresh warning to Iran

EXPLAINER: Will my flight be cancelled? What to know about conflict in the Middle East and flight plans

Penni Milton and her two children were on the way to watch her husband Michael Milton compete at the Paralympics in Italy.

The family is now delayed in Doha.

Milton told Today her flight was almost in Iraqi air space when the pilot made an announcement to passengers.

"He said the airspace is closed, at which point I thought 'something's happened, something serious has happened'," Milton said.

"There's been no information, we were waiting for the airspace to be open again.

"So we just wait, there's lots of people here waiting."

A traveller who was left stranded at Perth Airport after flights to Doha were cancelled said the change in plans had left her overstaying her visa.

"We're all stuck here, but the big issue is myself and other passengers, our visas run out in Australia today and we're all basically illegal immigrants," she said.

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Two flights from the Middle East arrived at Melbourne Airport about 6am today, including one flight from Doha and one flight from Dubai.

One traveller told 9News they felt "a little bit nervous" while the flight was en-route to the Victorian capital.

"When you don't know what's happening and how far away you are from it, if it's in the air, you're in the air too," she said.

A fellow traveller on the flight to Melbourne described the situation as "a little bit scary".

"I was just glad that we were on the plane," he said.

Nine.com.au understands four Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar Airways returned to Australia last night due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

This includes flight VA1 from Sydney to Doha, which was diverted to Melbourne due to Sydney curfew.

Flights VA15, VA7 and VA21 were also turned around.

DEVELOPING: Luxury Dubai hotel damaged as Iran retaliates to attack

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the safety of its guests and crew remained its top priority.

"Due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, a number of Virgin Australia services operated by Qatar Airways have been cancelled," the spokesperson said.

"Guests scheduled to travel on Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha in the coming days are advised to closely monitor their flight information and visit the Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice.

"We thank everyone for their understanding, and we will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves."

Travellers at Sydney Airport camped out this morning due to the flight cancellations and a lack of accommodation due to last night's popular Mardi Gras celebration.

Yesterday flight maps showed the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty as Israel said it struck Iran and the US military initiated a series of strikes against targets in the country.

Iran retaliated with a salvo of missiles.

Airlines cancelled almost 40 per cent of flights to Israel and 6.7 per cent of flights to the broader region yesterday, according to preliminary Cirium data.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to both the long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, closed their airspace on Saturday.

In a statement issued at about 5.30pm today, Etihad Airways said all of its flights to and from Abu Dhabi have been cancelled until at least 9am (AEDT) tomorrow.

"We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate your patience as it may take longer than usual for calls to be answered," it said in a statement posted to social media.

"The situation remains dynamic and schedules may change at short notice.

"Etihad continues to work in close coordination with the relevant authorities and will resume normal operations as soon as conditions permit.

"The safety of Etihad's guests and staff is our highest priority.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate our guests' understanding."

Qatar Airways confirmed after 5.30pm (AEDT) flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

"Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace," the company said.

Flow on effects all over the globe

Dutch airline KLM already announced earlier in the week that it was suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv starting today.

Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia, Qatar Airways, and Pegasus have cancelled all flights to Lebanon.

Virgin Atlantic cancelled its flight from Heathrow Airport in London to Dubai and said it would avoid flying over Iraq, meaning flights to and from India, the Maldives and Riyadh could take slightly longer.

The airline already was not flying over Iran. Virgin Atlantic said all flights would carry appropriate fuel in case they need to reroute on short notice.

British Airways said flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain will be suspended until next week, and flights to Amman, Jordan, will be cancelled yesterday.

United Airlines said flights en-route to Tel Aviv and Dubai yesterday morning were either diverted or returned to the US.

The airline cancelled flights between the US and Tel Aviv through Monday and flights between the US and Dubai through Sunday. It issued a travel waiver so passengers can change their flights at no cost.

Turkish Airlines said on X that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan will be suspended until Monday and flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman would be suspended on Saturday.

The airline said additional cancellations may be announced and Kuwait Airways temporarily suspended flights.

Kuwait's aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to the state news agency, while Oman Air said it had suspended all flights to Baghdad due to the regional developments.

The European Union's aviation regulator EASA yesterday recommended its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the on-going military intervention.

The Russian Ministry of Transport said yesterday that Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel.

Germany's Lufthansa LHAG.DE said it was suspending flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday and halting temporarily the Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman routes until March 7. Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut.

Iberia also cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air WIZZ.L suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until the same date, it said.

Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for some time in the region. It's also important to look at the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan as that will limit airspace even further, said Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami.

"With hostilities now underway, the impact on regional aviation is immediate and highly fluid," he said.

"We also anticipate precautionary evacuations or temporary shutdowns at select Gulf airports if the threat envelope expands, which would immediately disrupt key transit hubs," he noted.

Various Indian airlines, including Air India, also suspended flights to the Middle East.

– Reported with Reuters, Associated Press and CNN.

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Motorists in Australia are being urged to fill up with fuel before a potential rise in the price of crude oil flows through to the bowser.

The US and Israeli strikes on Iran are raising concerns that retaliations in the Middle East could disrupt the flow of oil, which is heavily dependent on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, which controls the waterway, also manages the world's third-largest proven oil reserves.

LIVE UPDATES: Iran's chilling vow of revenge as supreme leader's death confirmed

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"The worst-case scenario for the oil market is an attack on Saudi oil infrastructure followed by a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz," Andy Lipow, president of consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates, told CNN.

"It remains to be seen if Iran will indiscriminately attack oil tankers in the region, shutting the waterway."

Oil prices could increase as much as $USD5 per barrel, if not more on Sunday, warned Lipow.

The waterway, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is only 33.7 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.

It's the only way to ship crude from the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. Iran controls its northern side.

About 20 million barrels of oil, about one-fifth of daily global production, flow through the strait every day, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which called the channel a "critical oil chokepoint".

A closure of the Strait would be particularly detrimental to China and other Asian economies which rely on the crude oil and natural gas shipped through the waterway.

The EIA estimates that 84 per cent of the crude oil and 83 per cent of the liquefied natural gas that moved through the Strait of Hormuz last year went to Asian markets.

China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, sourced 5.4 million barrels per day through the Strait of Hormuz in the first quarter this year, while India and South Korea imported 2.1 million and 1.7 million barrels per day, respectively, according to the EIA's estimates. In comparison, the US and Europe imported just 400,000 and 500,000 barrels per day, respectively, in the same period, according to the EIA.

– reported with CNN

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Lionel Caffell said the interactions with his co-worker were just ‘boys argy bargy’.

An Iranian state media presenter broke down in tears as he announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The presenter told viewers the supreme leader, who was a key target in the US-Israel attacks, had "tasted the drink of martyrdom and joined the sublime heavenly kingdom of God" in a translated version of the broadcast.

Others could be heard crying off-screen as the newsreader announced the news to the nation.

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READ MORE: Dubai Airport damaged in reported strike, four hurt

Following the attack, President Donald Trump announced the leader had been killed.

Iranian state media also confirmed that Khamenei is dead with a brief statement which said the supreme leader "has reached martyrdom".

Khamenei, who has been supreme leader since 1989, was reportedly in his compound in Tehran when the joint assault was launched on military and government sites in Iran.

Satellite images showed black smoke billowing from the compound, which appeared completely destroyed.

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A car dealer diagnosed an expensive problem, but it was really a simple fix.

Dubai's airport, the world's busiest, has suffered "minor damage" in an apparent missile strike as Iran retaliated to the United States and Israel's attacks.

Four people were injured at Dubai International (DXB), which handles around 300,000 passengers daily and 95 million a year, including on Emirates flights to and from Australia.

Images show clouds of smoke or dust and debris on the floor.

LIVE UPDATES: Iran's chilling vow of revenge as supreme leader's death confirmed

"Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities," a Dubai Airports spokesperson said.

"Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention. Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers."

READ MORE: Aussies warned against travelling to much of the Middle East in wake of strikes on Iran

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/2027866024318767134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

READ MORE: 'Never heard before': Dubai hotel damaged in explosion as debris rains down on city

One person, an Asian national, was killed and seven others were injured during a drone interception at Zayed International Airport in neighbouring emirate, Abu Dhabi.

It's also a major international hub including for flights from Australia with Etihad.

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Helena Bay Gallery and Cafe will shut from Monday as slip work ramps up.

The former PM says the strikes on Iran breached international law and its sovereignty.