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‘Apocalyptic’ scenes as Iran’s capital pummeled by air strikes

Iran's capital continues to be smashed by US and Israeli bombardment, with a strike on an oil refinery lighting up the night sky.

The site in Tehran was one of several oil storage sites and refineries struck over the weekend, with a huge fireball sending plumes of smoke and ash into the air and being visible from across the city.

Thick plumes of black smoke were swept over the city, resulting in the rare weather phenomenon of black rain, or "acid rain" falling over the city.

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Tehran's night sky lit up as the city's oil refineries were hit.Fires raged across Tehran as US and Israeli airstrikes continued.

The fires are continuing to burn into the night in Tehran.

As the war enters its second week, the bombardment of Iran has continued, with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) claiming to have destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Air Force Headquarters in a strike.

The facility in Tehran operated "the ballistic missile command, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) array, and other air force units," according to IDF spokesman, Brigadier-General Effie Defrin

Around 140 targets were hit on Sunday alone, Defrin said.

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WATCH: Fire tears through tower amid 'wave of hostile drones'

US strikes also continue to have an impact, with an attack on a warship reportedly killing 104 people.

Around 32 people were injured as the IRS Dena was sunk last week, according to semi-official sources in Iran. 

The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency estimates over 1200 civilians have been killed in the strikes since the conflict broke out last Saturday, including 194 children.

Reported with Associated Press and CNN

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Police investigate explosion outside US embassy in Oslo

Norwegian police are investigating an explosion outside the US embassy in the capital, Oslo, officials say.

Police received reports of a "loud bang" or explosion about 1am (11am AEDT) on Sunday, Oslo police said in a news release. No injuries were reported.

The explosion was caused by some sort of incendiary device, Oslo police representative Frode Larsen said during a news conference on Sunday.

READ MORE: Fire tears through tower amid 'wave of hostile drones'

READ MORE: 'Heartbreaking': Off-duty guard allegedly murdered

Investigators believe the embassy was the target and are searching for the perpetrators and their motive.

Local media reported minor damage to an entrance of the embassy, and people nearby said the street was blanketed in thick smoke following the blast. Police are seeking to talk to witnesses.

PST, the Norwegian police security service, called in additional personnel following the incident but has not changed the country's terror threat level, according to communication adviser Martin Bernsen.

"This is an unacceptable incident that is being treated with the utmost seriousness," said Justice and Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen.

"The police have stated that they are investigating the case with significant resources, and that nothing indicates the situation poses any danger to the public."

The US embassy in Oslo referred media queries to the US State Department, which did not immediately return a request for comment. Nor did Oslo police.

Other details were not available.

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Tributes flow for security guard allegedly stabbed to death

An off-duty security guard who died at a Melbourne train station on Friday night is being remembered as a "quiet hero" by his friends and colleagues.

Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

His friends said they were heartbroken by the loss of their mate who always put himself before others.

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Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

"He was the type to go out of his way and do what he did, and that's probably the biggest thing I love about him," his friend JD said.

"It's just heartbreaking – I miss him."

The spot where he died has turned into a shrine to the brave man, with members of the public leaving floral tributes throughout the day.

"It's just every parent's worst nightmare," local resident Rachael Taranto said.

"We really want the family to know we're all thinking of them, and their son is a hero."

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Becker was a local to the area, who loved animals, travelling, and making music.

He worked at the Alfred Hospital, which released a statement this afternoon mourning his death.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of young security officer, Aidan Becker," it said.

"Aidan's colleagues at The Alfred describe him as a dedicated, respected, and much-loved member of our security team.

Aidan Becker, 22, was allegedly stabbed to death after intervening to help a 14-year-old who was being robbed by four teenagers.

"He will be remembered for being full of life, and for his positive energy, kindness and dedication.  He was a quiet hero who gave his all for those around him."

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Two 17-year-olds, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old were all arrested by police.

The 16-year-old, a 17-year-old boy from the Whittlesea area, and the 18-year-old were charged with murder and armed robbery.

One of the 17-year-old boys is still in hospital under police guard, and has not been interviewed or charged yet.

The 18-year-old man appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court today and did not apply for bail.

He will remain behind bars until his next court hearing in June.

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‘Frightening’ impact for farmers as Middle East fighting continues

A deepening fuel crisis is leaving Australian farmers running low on diesel and prompting calls for price monitoring to be expanded.

Following concerns war in the Middle East could impact crude oil supplies and accusations Australian oil companies were profiteering, Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the fuel situation was "frightening".

"Australians should understand that while they can go to the servo and fill up, our farmers aren't getting their supplies," he said.

READ MORE: High-rise tower at Dubai Marina hit by drone as debris kills taxi driver

Tehran, Iran

"If they run out, they can't produce your food and fibre. There is supply, and this is the issue. There's supply sitting there, but the big oil companies won't release it to the independents and to the small wholesalers."

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With oil shipments limited through the Strait of Hormuz, some big refiners are directing supply to retail bowsers and away from wholesale deliveries like farms. 

"Thursday they phoned and said there is an issue, they've been put on a quota or allocation system," farmer Layton Free said.

"Then by Friday they phoned and said there is a problem. There is no longer supply."

With the consumer watchdog monitoring prices for motorists, the opposition has written to the government for help monitoring prices for farmers.

"There's no way we should have a fuel security or food security problem right now," Free said.

With Iran attacking sporadically throughout the Middle East, some nations are asking not for monitoring but military and intelligence assistance

Australia is weighing up an appeal for military aid by Middle Easter countries under attack from Iran.

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Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 4 March 2026. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told the ABC Insiders program today the federal government had received requests from nations for protection against drone and missile attacks.

Iran has targeted pro-western neighbours, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, over the past week in a campaign of air attacks.

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"Many countries who are non-participants have been attacked by Iran through this," Wong said.

"You would anticipate as a consequence, that we have been asked for assistance and we will work through that."

She refused to be drawn on details about any potential military aid under consideration, but said the government would be frank if it approved any.

Wong also reiterated that Australian armed forces would not take part in offensive operations against Iran.

"We are not participating in offensive action against Iran," Wong said.

"This is not Iraq and we are not the Howard government."

She was speaking after the Iranian regime gave conflicting comments about the targeting of its neighbours.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Arab Gulf nations in a remarkable address yesterday, saying Tehran would stop striking its neighbours unless any attacks on Iran originated from those countries.

He urged Gulf nations not to become a "plaything in the hands of imperialism," warning them not to attack Iranian territory.

It's not clear if the president's announcement comes into effect immediately. After the address, interceptions continued over the UAE and sirens rang in Bahrain.

– With CNN

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