The Australian government has warned against travelling to most of the Middle East in the wake of the US-Israel operation in Iran and retaliatory strikes on US military bases.

The ongoing risk of further reprisal attacks prompted a flood of warnings from the government's Smartraveller platform, which warned against travel to key regions in the Middle East.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises Australians not to travel to: Qatar, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel and Lebanon.

LIVE UPDATES: Iran launches retaliatory attacks on US bases, Israel

READ MORE: 'This is not your war': World leaders react

Australians have also been warned to not travel to Iran and to leave as soon as possible, consistent with advice given recently after unrest and previous strikes in the country.

"We continue to advise Australians to not travel to Iran – this has been in place since 2020 – and to leave Iran as soon as possible," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this morning.

"Australian officials are closely monitoring what is an evolving situation, unfolding rapidly.

"It is critical that anyone in the region takes note of the Smartraveller website for the most up to date information that we can provide.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is opening a registration portal for Australians seeking to leave Iran and will be directly in touch with registered Australians.

Flights to and from the UAE, Qatar, Israel and Bahrain have been cancelled as the strikes spark fears for tourist safety.

While in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Armenia, Australians are told to "exercise a high degree of caution".

READ MORE: Luxury Dubai hotel damaged as Iran retaliates to attack

EXPLAINER: Why is Trump bombing Iran? Full military strike comes days after talks stall

Travellers planning to head to Jordan have been told to "reconsider your need to travel".

The Smartraveller notices advised "there is a risk of further reprisal attacks and escalation across the region".

"Demonstrations and protest activity may also occur, and local security situations could deteriorate with little notice," they added.

"Airspace closures and flight disruptions are already occurring across the region and may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations."

Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated the latest travel advice earlier today in a joint statement shared following the US strike.

"Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation. We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so," the statement read.

"Given our concerns around security in the region, we have also upgraded Australia's travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to Do Not Travel.

"Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region," the statement continued.

"Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia."

The Insurance Council of Australia has urged Australians to prioritise their safety as the situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little warning.

"Smartraveller has issued 'Do Not Travel' advisories for several countries across the Middle East, and we strongly encourage all Australians in or planning travel to the region to follow the latest advisories," a spokesperson said.

"Travellers should be aware that most policies do not cover losses arising from acts of war or armed conflict.

"Follow consular advice via Smartraveller and register your travel plans with DFAT

"Contact your airline or travel provider directly for the latest flight information, as airspace closures may cause delays, cancellations, and rerouting, including for travellers not destined for the Middle East.

"If you hold travel insurance, contact your insurer if you require any further assistance."

• NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Test your brain with the Herald’s afternoon quiz.

The search will continue this afternoon at low tide.

The man’s death will be referred to the coroner.

The donation comes as the George Mason Charitable Trust distributes its final funds.

The plan could deliver more than 2000 new housing lots at Awakeri.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "will not be mourned" as he doubled down on Australia's support for the US to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Alabese 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. The days ahead are going to be difficult. They are uncertain," Albanese said.

LIVE UPDATES: US launches 'major combat operations in Iran'

He said he believed it was key for global stability that Iran did not obtain a nuclear weapon.

"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.

In a statement released yesterday, just hours after the strikes began, Albanese slammed the "brutal acts of violence and intimidation" the regime uses, including targeted attacks in Australia.

Albanese said he supported the United States "acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security," though did not directly mention the strikes.

"The regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people, leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead. A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy," he said.

Referencing two attacks on Jewish synagogues in Australia in 2024, Albanese said: "These appalling acts targeting Australia's Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty."

EXPLAINED: Trump went from 'not happy' to bombing Iran in hours – here's why

As a result of the attacks, Australia expelled Iran's ambassador and listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Albanese said Iran has been a "destabilising force" through its ballistic missile and nuclear program.

WATCH: Trump tells Iranian officials to lay down arms or 'face death'

He said it was a "threat to world peace".

"The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," Albanese added.

"Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression."

Opposition leader Angus Taylor called Iran's regime "authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent."

"It wants nuclear weapons, seeks the destruction of Israel, has encouraged terrorism through its proxies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis – and has supplied weapons to Russia to support Putin's invasion of Ukraine," he said in a post on X.

"We pray for the Iranian people at this time."

• NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

US President Donald Trump has claimed Iranian's could "face death" after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday.

In an eight-minute speech posted to his social media pages, Trump outlined his motivations to stop a group of "very hard, terrible people."

Watch Trump's speech in full in the video above.

LIVE UPDATES: US launches 'major combat operations in Iran'

READ TRUMP'S STATEMENT IN FULL

A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.

For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel.

In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lines. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer.

From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before.

Iran is the world's number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fort Doe, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. Again they wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it. They didn't know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades.

They've rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message.

For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We're going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy. We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.

This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now. We're doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm's way. And we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail.

To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.

For many years, you have asked for America's help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.

May God bless the brave men and women of America's armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you.

• NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Just hours ago, US President Donald Trump appeared to indicate he was keen to continue talks between the US and Iran.

Now, missiles are raining down on multiple Iranian cities as the US and Israeli militaries coordinate attacks, and Trump has called for the Iranian people to "take over" their government.

There are decades of tension and conflict between Tehran and Washington that have led to this point, but the temperature has boiled over in recent months.

LIVE UPDATES: US launches 'major combat operations in Iran'

The Trump administration launched airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear program in June last year, amid Israel and Iran's 12-day war.

Trump said at the time Iran's nuclear program had been set back years or even completely destroyed.

But more recently, both the US and Israeli governments have made contradictory claims, that Iran was still close to achieving weapons-grade uranium, prompting talks between Washington and Iran via Omani mediators.

MIDDLE EAST: US and Israel launch attack on Iran as explosions are heard in Tehran

Trump earlier today said he was "not happy" with the progress of the talks, as Iran continued to insist on its right to enrich uranium for energy purposes.

"I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We're talking later," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday local time.

"We're not exactly happy with the way they're negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons."

READ MORE: 'I saw nothing, I did nothing wrong': Bill Clinton grilled over Epstein

Iran has persistently said it does not seek nuclear weapons but international observers have said it has previously enriched uranium that is a "step" away from weapons-grade material.

Iran and Israel have been long-time foes, but Israel has managed to successfully devastate the Tehran regime's terrorist proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah after the October 7 attacks in 2023.

Last year's 12-day war kicked off when Israel launched surprise strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites, but were unable to damage some of the deepest-buried facilities, that the US was later able to damage.

US participation in those attacks came as a surprise to the international community, just as these new ones have.

During a recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, sources claimed Trump pushed back against the idea of conflict, saying he wanted the talks to continue.

But in a speech after the strikes today, Trump said Iran "rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore".

The regime of the ayatollahs, which typically refers to the US as the "Great Satan", took control of Iran in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution.

That revolution overthrew the monarchic Pahlavi dynasty, which had been backed by the US and UK, and established Iran as a nation governed as a theocratic Islamic republic.

With Associated Press.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here

Israel also launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital, as witnesses reported smoke rising near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei