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Trump said Australia was “not great” along with other allies that had not helped.

Trump says Australia ‘not great’ as he questions Iran peace prospects

The US president said it was Tehran – not him  – that was “begging to make a deal”, but suggested an agreement to end the war may not be possible.

  • Michael Koziol

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US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Takaichi warned she’s facing an “extremely difficult” meeting with Donald Trump, after the US president criticized Japan for rebuffing his demand for warships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg

European leaders, Japan offer to help Trump unblock Strait of Hormuz

In a meeting with Japan’s prime minister, Donald Trump said he didn’t warn allies about his attack on Iran because he wanted it to be a surprise, like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

  • Michael Koziol
Donald Trump

Trump’s claim of not knowing about the Iran gas field attack comes under question

The US president has distanced himself from an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars offshore gas field as tit-for-tat strikes on energy infrastructure escalate the Middle East conflict and propel oil prices even higher.

  • Michael Koziol
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

‘We don’t need anyone’s help’: Trump lashes out at NATO allies, Australia over Iran war

The president named Australia among the countries whose help he no longer needed in the effort to unblock the crucial Strait of Hormuz, and went as far as saying that the US should rethink its involvement in NATO.

  • Michael Koziol
The security of the old world order is being blasted away with every airstrike to enforce the will of US President Donald Trump.

As oil prices spike, is this the week Trump declares victory in Iran?

While Americans are more sceptical than ever about their country’s largest military undertaking in two decades, the US president may have done what he needed to exit the war.

  • Michael Koziol
Illustration by Joe Benke

To remain one and free, Australia must confront three key systemic challenges

Exhausted systems fail. It takes creative, energetic leadership to develop new ones. Best to start yesterday. Failing that, today.

  • Peter Hartcher
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King Charles and Donald Trump

How the royal ‘Trump whisperers’ will be key to winning back Washington

With British PM Keir Starmer’s reputation state-side at a low, the King and Queen will have to work their magic on their latest visit.

  • Hannah Furness, Connor Stringer and Tony Diver
Vice President JD Vance is a sceptic about foreign entanglements, but supported last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

JD Vance’s silence on the Iran strikes is starting to get very loud

For 48 hours, the US vice president has said next to nothing about Operation Epic Fury in an administration where praising the leader’s success is virtually mandatory.

  • Michael Koziol
There are heightened tensions between the US and Cuba.

A stolen boat, a deadly gunfight and a supposed plot against Cuba

Havana’s account of a supposed armed raid into its territory has been called into question after one of the men identified as being on the vessel turned up in Miami.

  • Frances Robles and Patricia Mazzei
Ali Larijani is now effectively running Iran as it teeters between deal and destruction.

The Putin whisperer who is really running Iran

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani is charged with ensuring the regime’s survival as it teeters between deal and destruction.

  • Akhtar Makoii