Socceroos' quick healer ready for date with destiny

Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week.
More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan.
A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday.
Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year.
Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return.
Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way.
But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery.
The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up.
Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation.
"I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday.
"When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?'
"I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to do that."
The road to an international recall wasn't easy.
"I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said.
"I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years.
"It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm.
"It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before."
Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification.
Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing.
Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer.
"I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought.
"It's replayed over and over again.
"I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that.
"The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify.
"So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week.
More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan.
A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday.
Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year.
Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return.
Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way.
But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery.
The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up.
Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation.
"I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday.
"When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?'
"I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to do that."
The road to an international recall wasn't easy.
"I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said.
"I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years.
"It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm.
"It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before."
Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification.
Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing.
Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer.
"I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought.
"It's replayed over and over again.
"I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that.
"The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify.
"So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."
Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati has opened up on the six-hour-a-day efforts he put in to make a swift return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying the hard work was all worth it so he could play against Japan this week.
More than 50,000 fans are set to descend on Optus Stadium on Thursday night to watch Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against arch rivals Japan.
A win for the Socceroos would all but lock in their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a loss or a draw would mean their fate would likely be decided in a high-stakes clash with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday.
Circati's hopes of appearing in this international window looked gone when he tore the ACL in his left knee while training with his Serie A side Parma in September last year.
Most soccer players who undergo a knee reconstruction take nine months or more to return.
Sam Kerr's current recovery is at a whopping 16 months and counting, albeit with another setback along the way.
But Circati was back for Parma by May 18 - just seven-and-a-half months after surgery.
The 21-year-old impressed in back-to-back 90-minute performances for Parma last month, convincing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic that the centre back was ready for another international call-up.
Circati, who is being touted as the next big thing in Australian soccer, revealed playing this week was a big driver during his rehabilitation.
"I was ready to play even earlier, but the club slowed it down rather than sped it up," Circati said in Perth on Wednesday.
"When you first get your surgery and start your rehab, they ask you, 'What's your goal, what are you trying to accomplish?'
"I said, 'Look there's two World Cup qualifiers in June, my goal is to be able to go there'.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to do that."
The road to an international recall wasn't easy.
"I was doing rehab six hours a day," Circati said.
"I didn't have much free time. I don't think I had a single day off, other than the break over Christmas and New Years.
"It was 9-12 in the morning, go home and have lunch, be back at 2pm and go until 5, 5.30pm.
"It's not easy. I wouldn't tell anyone that it's easy. You've just got to be determined to be back better than what you were before."
Boosting Australia's victory chances is the fact that Japan have named an inexperienced squad, given they have already secured World Cup qualification.
Overseas stars such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Daizen Maida (Celtic), Reo Hatate (Celtic), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims) and Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Lisbon) are among the big names missing.
Nevertheless, Japan still boast plenty of talent and Socceroos striker Adam Taggart hopes Thursday night will become yet another famous occasion in Australian soccer.
"I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty," Taggart said, in reference to the spot kick against Uruguay that clinched Australia's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, ending a 32-year drought.
"It's replayed over and over again.
"I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game (against Japan) is a similar situation to that.
"The win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify.
"So to be able to have the chance to create something special like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again - like a John Aloisi penalty or a Josh Kennedy header - is really special for all of us."

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West Australian

2 hours ago

• West Australian

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called the attack on Iran a success with ‘severe damage and destruction'

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says Midnight Hammer 'did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people' with a senior Air Force general warning it would be an 'incredibly poor choice' for Iran and its proxies to retaliate. The US launched overnight strikes on three Iranian facilities — Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow — joining Israel's push to cripple Tehran's nuclear program. In an address to media at the Pentagon on Sunday evening (Australian time), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine outlined the operation and said all three nuclear sites sustained 'extremely severe damage and destruction'. 'At midnight Friday into Saturday morning, a large B-2 strike package comprised of bombers launched from the continental United States,' he said. 'As part of a plan to maintain tactical surprise, part of the package proceeded to the West and into the Pacific as a decoy; a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners and key leaders here in Washington and in Tampa. 'The main strike package, comprised of seven B-2 spirit bombers, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east with minimal communications. 'Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed manoeuvre requiring exact synchronisation across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications. 'At approximately 5pm EST last night, and just prior to the strike package entering Iran, a US submarine in the Central Command Area of Responsibility launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles against key surface infrastructure targets at Isfahan. 'As the operation Midnight Hammer strike package entered Iranian airspace, the US employed several deception tactics including decoys as the fourth and fifth generation aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed.' Mr Caine said the US dropped two GBU-57 series MOP weapons on 'several aim points' at Isfahan at about 6.40pm EST. 'The remaining bombers then hit their targets as well, with a total of 14 MOPs dropped against two nuclear target areas,' he said. Mr Caine said all three nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6.40pm and 7.05pm EST. 'The Tomahawk missiles (were) the last to strike at Isfahan to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation,' he said. 'Following weapons release, the Midnight Hammer strike package exited Iranian airspace and the package began its return home. 'We are unaware of any shots fired at the package on the way out ... we retained the element of surprise.' Mr Caine said the US deployed up to 125 aircrafts and 75 precision guided weapons. 'This included fourteen 30,000 pound GBU-57 MOPs marking the first ever operational use of this weapon,' he said. 'Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction. 'More than 125 US aircraft participated in this mission including B-2 stealth bombers, multiple flights of fourth and fifth generation fighters, dozens of air refuelling tankers, a guided missile submarine and a full array of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as hundreds of maintenance and operational professionals.' Mr Caine said the US remained on 'high alert' and was 'fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks' — a move he warned would be 'an incredibly poor choice'. 'We will defend ourselves,' he said. 'The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority. 'This mission demonstrates the unmatched reach co-ordination and capability of the United States military.' Mr Hegseth said the attack had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear ambitions but said it 'did not attack Iranian troops or the Iranian people'. 'We devastated the Iranian nuclear program but it's worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people,' he said. 'For the entirety of his time in office, President Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon. 'Thanks to President Trump's bold and visionary leadership and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.'

The Age

2 hours ago

• The Age

Brisbane Lions get the last laugh on Geelong's big night, demolish 22-year hoodoo

Loading Key posts 11.19pm 'They were sharp, we were the opposite': Scott 10.55pm Lions clear Fagan's whiteboard after last hoodoo ends 10.35pm Analysis: How the hoodoo was broken 10.19pm FT: Brisbane 14.8 (92) d Geelong 6.15 (51) 9.43pm Discount Pies: How these old champs are on low contracts 9.03pm The Cats are lucky to be only 23 points down 7.27pm Cats follow Penn State's 'whiteout' 7.16pm Gardiner out sick but Andrews backs Lions to stand up Hide key posts Posts area Go to latest Pinned post from 10.35pm on Jun 20, 2025 Analysis: How the hoodoo was broken The Brisbane Lions have broken the last hoodoo of Chris Fagan's reign at the club, recording their first win at Kardinia Park since 2003 to ruin the Cats' celebrations for Patrick Dangerfield's 350th game milestone. The Lions dominated the contest from start to finish, kicking four goals in seven minutes in the first quarter to open up a lead that was never challenged and eventually ran out 41 point winners, restricting Geelong to just six goals in the process. The Lions' early ascendancy came on the back of clearance dominance, and with a lead they attacked bravely and quickly from the back half. Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry were brilliant with Lachie Neale well held. The Lions' approach was obvious, with rebounding defender Dayne Zorko smashing the ball back as quickly as it arrived to stop the Cats' defence from settling. It rattled the Cats, who could not hold them up defensively and could not score. In the first half Geelong scored just 23 points, their lowest first-half score for the season and by midway through the third quarter, the Lions led by 45 points. From there the result was never in doubt. Cam Rayner was the best player on the ground, kicking goals at the start of the third and fourth quarter to silence the crowd and snuff out any momentum. Logan Morris was also outstanding with five majors. The T-shirts handed out to create a strong visual effect pre-game were suddenly useful as surrender flags. The Cats had no answer with their ball use uncharacteristically poor. High half-forwards Gryan Miers and Brad Close were the main offenders as they kicked into an impotent forward line. Only Jeremy Cameron, with four goals, won his position. Dangerfield and Stengle were quiet in their milestone games, and Shannon Neale was given a lesson by All-Australian defender Harris Andrews as the Lions' co-captain took five intercept marks. Without Tom Atkins, Jack Henry and Tom Stewart the margin would have been even bigger, with that trio trying hard. Having struggled with their accuracy in their past two matches, the Lions found their target. It was Geelong who fluffed their chances, missing set shots regularly as they were smashed 6.15 (51) to the Lions' 14.8 (92). This win allows the reigning premiers to reclaim second spot on the ladder from Geelong, and move back on to the winner's list after two straight losses. The loss ended an unbroken run of five straight wins for the Cats as both clubs head towards the bye. 11.32pm on Jun 20, 2025 That's all for tonight Thanks so much for joining us this evening. That's all we have for you as the Lions record a big win over Geelong. We will be back with a fresh blog on Saturday afternoon, so please join us then. Bye for now. 11.19pm on Jun 20, 2025 'They were sharp, we were the opposite': Scott Cats coach Chris Scott spoke to the media post-game. On the match: Yeah, more about the occasion based on the opposition. Like, each to their own, and celebrating those achievements, in my mind, it doesn't change much at all. You would like to play better, but you have heard me say for 15 years, Pete [Ryan], that if you need a milestone to try, then you are not a true professional. We played a really good team and they were sharp tonight, and we were the opposite. If that is a pattern throughout your games, then you have a problem, and you may not be a very good team. I don't think it is the case with us. It hasn't been a pattern, it was a bad game to have an off night against them, because sometimes you can have an off night and get away with it, but you can't against the opposition of that quality. I didn't think it was a complete disaster, like the scoreboard got out of control in a way based on their initiative, and they kicked for goal differently to the way they had in previous weeks, and we kicked a bit more like they have. Even at three-quarter-time, obviously we were well and truly up against it – the expected score was pretty tight. Yeah, there was just some uncharacteristic stuff. Again, if is a pattern, then that compounded means you're a bad team. I don't think that is us. There was some stuff tonight. It is not complicated, it is just the stuff that we all saw – skill errors, a little bit of method stuff, but a lot of it was execution... This might be one we will put in the category of 'beaten by a better team on the night'. By next week, [there's a] chance to regroup and we will be in good shape. On Brisbane wanting to end their losing streak in Geelong: I am sure they did, and they have a right to feel proud of themselves and I thought they played really well. But, again, I almost take offence to the idea that, you know, if they were us, for example, I wouldn't like the accusation that you really steeled yourself for this one. I didn't look at us and think, gee, we were off because of effort, or we took the opposition easily. We were crystal clear on what they could be, and they played the way we expected. We just weren't good enough on the night to counter it. On goal kicking and the winning margin: [Logan] Morris kicked a snap from the boundary and Pat [Dangerfield] had one 10 metres inside, which is usually put down your glasses, and he missed it – that's what it looked like to our observation. It's not that we think if we kicked straight we would have won the game, I'm not saying that – I'm saying that it wasn't a disaster where you lose by a lot and were never a chance. We were getting chances to be competitive, it just felt like one of those nights, and I said this to the players – it felt like what could go wrong, did go wrong. It happens to the best teams. I don't know where we are now but sitting back 10-5 going into the bye, I don't think we will be dwelling on this for too long. On Brisbane's quality and depth: If they are not the best, and they probably are, then they are the deepest. Their first, second and third-year guys are guns, and it is not as if they are relying on them to be their first, second or third midfielders. They are behind a Brownlow medallist [Lachie Neale] and another guy who might win it, just in their midfield, so they are going to be well-served for a while yet, I reckon. 10.55pm on Jun 20, 2025 Lions clear Fagan's whiteboard after last hoodoo ends Lions coach Chris Fagan spoke to Fox Footy post-game. On finally winning in Geelong and, earlier this season, ending their long losing streaks to Richmond and Hawthorn at the MCG: The last of the hoodoos – I put it up on the board this week. It's the only thing we hadn't done in my time at the club, was beat Geelong in Geelong. It's a pretty exciting night. We've got them all – Richmond, Hawks and more. There were a lot of them. It's been a nice way to build that confidence and belief in ourselves as there were an awful lot of hoodoos [when he first arrived] and something we hadn't done in a long time, so that was very exciting. On coming to Melbourne earlier: We just felt if we came down a little earlier, we might have a bit more energy. It wasn't my idea, it was Danny Daly, my football manager, and I think some of the leaders who wanted it, and it worked well for us. On how he handled their recent losses: I just pointed out to the players the positives. We had a tremendous performance against Adelaide in Adelaide and that's hard to do, and we kicked 13.18 last week – I just pointed out that we did everything but win the game, and we shouldn't lose confidence in ourselves. We should just keep doing what we are doing and things will turn. We didn't do any extra goal kicking practice this week – we just did what we normally do. On the importance of goal kicking: It is without a doubt the most important stat in football, that one, and tonight they didn't kick accurately, which is unlike them. I read a stat today that they are the most accurate side in football, and I thought that would bode well for us, given our kicking, but is funny how footy goes sometimes. On Logan Morris starring in the past two weeks, and Kai Lohmann playing well tonight: I was a little bit worried as he got some media attention this week for his efforts, so I said to him, 'Mate, keep your feet on the ground', but he told me he was OK, and he showed that tonight. I was really happy for Kai as he's been battling. He was sub last week and didn't play that well when he came on, but I rang him on Sunday and said, 'I'm going to play you this week, be ready' and he was tonight. 10.38pm on Jun 20, 2025 'Unbelievable win': Dunkley Josh Dunkley spoke to Channel Seven post-game. You came down here and spoiled the party – the first win (for the Lions) at GMHBA Stadium in 22 years... It is an unbelievable win for us. I think we felt we could come here and make a statement, but the last couple of weeks were disappointing – we couldn't kick straight. But we have full belief in our ability. It was a genuine performance across all three lines. How impressed were you to get it done, stop their ball movement and take it back to them? That is all we were looking to do heading into the game, and it is great to see Kai Lohmann get back onto the scoreboard and hit some form. It is nice for our group to build some confidence, have a bye and have a rest and go again. Lohmann looks like a genuine fire starter when he is up and about. How does that get you going through the midfield and the back line? It is pretty funny – all the young boys, they are so good, they bring so much energy to our group, and us older fellas, I am an older fella... it is great to have them around. 10.35pm on Jun 20, 2025 Analysis: How the hoodoo was broken The Brisbane Lions have broken the last hoodoo of Chris Fagan's reign at the club, recording their first win at Kardinia Park since 2003 to ruin the Cats' celebrations for Patrick Dangerfield's 350th game milestone. The Lions dominated the contest from start to finish, kicking four goals in seven minutes in the first quarter to open up a lead that was never challenged and eventually ran out 41 point winners, restricting Geelong to just six goals in the process. The Lions' early ascendancy came on the back of clearance dominance, and with a lead they attacked bravely and quickly from the back half. Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry were brilliant with Lachie Neale well held. The Lions' approach was obvious, with rebounding defender Dayne Zorko smashing the ball back as quickly as it arrived to stop the Cats' defence from settling. It rattled the Cats, who could not hold them up defensively and could not score. In the first half Geelong scored just 23 points, their lowest first-half score for the season and by midway through the third quarter, the Lions led by 45 points. From there the result was never in doubt. Cam Rayner was the best player on the ground, kicking goals at the start of the third and fourth quarter to silence the crowd and snuff out any momentum. Logan Morris was also outstanding with five majors. The T-shirts handed out to create a strong visual effect pre-game were suddenly useful as surrender flags. The Cats had no answer with their ball use uncharacteristically poor. High half-forwards Gryan Miers and Brad Close were the main offenders as they kicked into an impotent forward line. Only Jeremy Cameron, with four goals, won his position. Dangerfield and Stengle were quiet in their milestone games, and Shannon Neale was given a lesson by All-Australian defender Harris Andrews as the Lions' co-captain took five intercept marks. Without Tom Atkins, Jack Henry and Tom Stewart the margin would have been even bigger, with that trio trying hard. Having struggled with their accuracy in their past two matches, the Lions found their target. It was Geelong who fluffed their chances, missing set shots regularly as they were smashed 6.15 (51) to the Lions' 14.8 (92). This win allows the reigning premiers to reclaim second spot on the ladder from Geelong, and move back on to the winner's list after two straight losses. The loss ended an unbroken run of five straight wins for the Cats as both clubs head towards the bye. 10.28pm on Jun 20, 2025 Full-time stats 'The boys really dug in': Rayner Lions star Cam Rayner knew his side was fired up, and they turned on one of their best performances of the year in beating the Cats in Geelong tonight. 'We seem to be playing great on the road this year and not that well at the Gabba,' Rayner told Fox Footy. 'We knew we hadn't won in Geelong in 20 years, and they've been in great form. The boys really dug in and played our brand of footy. 'We were really on today, and we built ourselves up for this one. We knew we had to be on our best game, and we were today.' 10.19pm on Jun 20, 2025 FT: Brisbane 14.8 (92) d Geelong 6.15 (51) Brisbane were down two big defenders but shrugged off an even bigger historical weight while spoiling Patrick Dangerfield's 350th game in Geelong on Friday night. The Lions claimed their first win at Kardinia Park since 2003 with Logan Morris booting five goals and Cam Rayner three as the Lions had winners all over the ground, building an early lead and growing it in the second half. It was a memorable win for Lions fans and a night to forget for the Cats faithful, who turned up for the whiteout night and ended up witnessing a whitewash. 10.15pm on Jun 20, 2025 Lions haven't won in Geelong since 2003 The Lions have made history, breaking a losing hoodoo at this ground that dates back to 2003. Last time they won in Geelong, Marcus Ashcroft was playing his 299th game, and now two of his sons are playing for the Lions. That says a lot. Kai Lohmann has snapped another goal, too. Lions 92, Cats 51 with two mins to play.

7NEWS

4 hours ago

• 7NEWS

Scott Morrison: Donald Trump's strikes on Iran a necessary measure to achieve peace, not war in Middle East

The recent strike by the United States on Iran's nuclear facilities marks a critical turning point in global security. It is not just a matter for the Middle East or for U.S. foreign policy. It is a test for all nations that rely on the strength and credibility of the international rules-based order and the western alliance for their security, Australia included. Let me be clear, this strike was not an act of provocation. It was a necessary measure, undertaken as a last resort by a President who wants peace, not war. The purpose was clear, to disrupt the capabilities of a brutal authoritarian regime that has openly defied international norms, supported terrorist proxies, and pursued nuclear weapons with increasing brazenness. In times of geopolitical crisis, clarity of purpose and principle is essential. That is why I was compelled to speak out following the U.S. operation. What we have seen instead from the Australian government is a concerning lack of clarity and a reluctance to define where Australia stands when it matters most. It is in times like this when allies look around to see who is with them. For a country like ours, deeply integrated into global economic and security networks, reliant on open trade routes and US led allied deterrence, strategic ambiguity is not a strength. It is a vulnerability. Throughout my time as Prime Minister, I took the view that Australia's interests are best served when we speak plainly and act decisively in defence of our values. That is why we stood firmly with our allies against China's economic coercion. It is why we invested in AUKUS, strengthening our sovereign defence capabilities and deepening our technological integration with the U.S. and UK. it is why we worked so closely with our Indo-Pacific partners through the Quad to uphold regional stability. It is why we stood with Israel against those who sought their annihilation. In this context, the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities must be understood for what it is: an act of strategic deterrence, grounded in the reality that Iran has long been operating outside the bounds of good faith diplomacy. It is what President Trump meant when he spoke of peace through strength. For years, Iran has methodically violated its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), enriching uranium well beyond civilian thresholds, restricting IAEA inspections, and hardening its facilities in preparation for exactly this kind of confrontation. Attempts to revive the nuclear deal have failed, not because the West abandoned diplomacy, but because Tehran refused to comply with the very terms it had previously accepted. The question facing policymakers in Washington and, indeed, in Canberra is not whether we prefer diplomacy over conflict. Of course we do. It is whether diplomacy alone can halt a regime that has no intention of negotiating in good faith. At a certain point, the cost of inaction outweighs the risk of confrontation. That is precisely where the United States found itself. Given Iran's refusal to cooperate with international monitors and its aggressive posture across the region, including arming Hezbollah, enabling Hamas to commit atrocities on innocent Israelis, supporting Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the Trump administration concluded that a targeted strike was the only viable option left. Only the US could have taken this step and President Trump should be commended for his courage and leadership, especially by allies. This was not a broad campaign. It was a calibrated operation aimed at degrading the most advanced elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure specifically, targeting Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. The objective was not regime change. It was to halt Iran's progression toward nuclear weapons capability and to send a clear message that the West's red lines still mean something. Yet here in Australia, the official response from the government has been muted. No strong statement of support for the United States. That silence is telling. It suggests a reluctance to confront difficult choices and to support our most important ally in the righteousness of the actions that have taken. I believe that such an approach is short-sighted and fundamentally misjudges the nature of the challenge we face. Australia cannot afford to be passive in moments like this. Our voice matters, not just because we are a U.S. ally, but because we are a middle power with global responsibilities. We sit at the intersection of East and West, of advanced democracies and rising developing powers. Our stance sends signals across the region, from Beijing to Moscow, Jakarta to Seoul. We must make the case for resistance against authoritarian arrogance. That doesn't mean we should follow Washington blindly. It means we must be clear, consistent and credible in how we support a global order that has protected our prosperity and security for generations. This is a time for strategic clarity, not importantly, we must ensure our own defences are fit for purpose. AUKUS is not a theoretical construct. It is a practical framework for dealing with the kinds of threats we are now seeing unfold. That means accelerating delivery timelines, investing in sovereign capabilities, and ensuring that deterrence in our own region is not eroded by distraction or delay. The world is entering a more dangerous phase. The era of risk aversion is over. Strategic competitors are testing our resolve, our alliances, and our willingness to act in defence of shared values. The choices we make now will define the kind of world our children inherit. We must choose clarity over confusion. Strength over silence. And principle over passivity. We must know who we stand with. That is the standard Australia has upheld in the past. And it is the standard we must uphold again now