Qantas’ Perth to London route changed to avoid Iranian airspace

Qantas’ other flights to and from London, QF1 and QF2, are unaffected as they already operate on different flight paths.

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Flight paths are often adjusted for a variety of reasons, including security and weather.

Israel has been bracing for a possible Iranian attack after an airstrike killed two Iranian generals in Syria on April 1. Iran blames Israel for the airstrike and has vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on the strike.

The promised retaliation has raised concerns about a deeper regional conflict.

Asked on Saturday how imminent an Iranian attack on Israel was, US President Joe Biden said he didn’t want to get into secure information, “but my expectation is sooner than later”.

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Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which supports Hamas, along the Israel-Lebanon border.

US officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on US forces at bases in those countries.

Asked what his message for Iran was, Biden’s said simply: “Don’t”.

He was asked about the possibility of deploying additional US troops to the Middle East and said, “We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel.”

“We will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed,” Biden added.

Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said his country was ready for a “wide variety of scenarios” that included both defensive and offensive actions. He also said that Israel’s military chief had completed a situation assessment with the head of the US Central Command, General Erik Kurilla, who is visiting Israel.

“Our defences are ready and know how to deal with every threat separately,” Hagari told reporters.

Iran has a number of proxy groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen that are all capable of striking Israel. Iran also possesses long-range missiles that can reach Israel. Israeli leaders have threatened to strike Iran directly if it attacks.