Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have issued a joint statement on the escalating tension in the Middle East.

The US and Israel launched a massive assault on Iran overnight with reports of more than 500 targets hit.

It's reported more than 200 people have been killed in the strikes across Iran and there's also claims the country's Supreme Leader is now dead.

Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says this is a rapidly changing situation, and it's important for this to be handled carefully.

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