The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that the indefinite extension of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appears to be delaying a resolution to their conflict. ABC Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran noted that Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the first such action since the war began, hours after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire. Trump stated the extension was to give Iran time to present a unified proposal. However, Iran is questioning the purpose of negotiations while the U.S. maintains its blockade of Iranian ships and ports. The U.S. insists Iran must ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz before progress can be made. In other news, ABC reports that disability advocates are expressing deep disappointment over the government's overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Minister Mark Butler defended the plan, which aims to save $35 billion over four years, but acknowledged the changes would have a material impact on participants. The ABC also highlighted concerns from local businesses that they lack access to test their systems against a new AI cybersecurity risk called Mythos. Additionally, research suggests the government's Home Guarantee Scheme may be contributing to rising housing prices, and Pacific leaders were reportedly blindsided by a declaration of a fuel emergency.
