U.S. President Donald Trump has accused several countries of failing to support the U.S-Israel war with Iran, including Australia.
Speaking to media on Friday, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia has not rejected any official requests from the U.S, and will “respond... very much with a focus on what is [in] Australia’s interest.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Marles’ statement at a press conference, adding that “Australia wasn’t consulted” before the U.S. and Israel struck Iran in February.
Trump
"Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia," Trump said addressing questions over the contributions of U.S. allies, including Australia and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a cabinet meeting on Thursday (U.S. time).
Response
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
On Friday, Marles said there had been no “request from the U.S. in respect of the Strait of Hormuz.”
He said Australia is “playing our part” by providing military assets to Gulf states.
Marles pointed out that Australia has “signed on to the UK‑led statement around providing for the opening up of the Strait of Hormuz”.
Last week, the UK shared a statement from 33 countries “express[ing] our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage”.
In a press conference on Friday, Albanese reiterated Marles’ response to Trump’s comments, saying: There is no request being made to Australia that has not been agreed to."
He said it is up to Trump "to explain his comments."
"Australia wasn’t consulted before this action was undertaken," Albanese said.
