Benjamin Netanyahu releases video following death rumours; Trump ceasefire negotiations denied by Iran; Iranian women’s soccer team players return home; Kharg Island hit by missiles

The additional players from the Iranian women’s football team delegation who decided to return home to Iran departed from Australia yesterday, Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said this morning.

Speaking to Sky News, he said, “My instructions are that five players have left … that the additional players left yesterday.”

Of the original delegation of seven players and officials who had taken up the government’s bid for asylum in Australia, only two now remain here, Thistlethwaite confirmed.

He would not say whether the government thought the two remaining individuals would also ultimately decide to return home.

“Obviously, this is a very complex situation. They’re deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return, and we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining,” Thistlethwaite said.