Natarsha Belling

Jen, thanks so much for joining us.

How concerned should we be about these latest developments with this increase in the escalation of conflict between the US and Iran?

Why would Iran be feeling like that at the moment?

What's going on?

So let's unpack what's happened over the last couple of days, because there has been critical developments, gents.

So over the weekend, literally, we saw the US president in the Oval Office almost saying the peace deal was closed, you know, negotiations were happening, they were going to get it over the line.

And then we've seen these attacks unfold between Israel and Iran, Iran and Israel, Iran against the US and then the US back against Iran.

And then just over the last couple of hours, our time in Australia, it looks like there are reports that Iran has hit a US naval base.

So what do you think is going to happen next, Jen?

You mentioned before that there is huge internal pressure on the US president.

We know the economic fallout is massive with the Strait of Hormuz, but also the enormous human casualties with this ongoing conflict.

What risks does he face by doing that, Jen?

So you're basically inferring he's backed into a corner right now and he has to take action.

Certainly a rocky road ahead.

We will watch with great interest.

Jen, thanks so much for joining us.

Thanks so much.

That was Jennifer Parker, a defence and maritime expert with the University of New South Wales.

And that's it for this episode of the afternoon edition of The Briefing.

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow morning with a two-part interview with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns on new cannabis laws, One Nation and the federal budget.