Metro Manila, Philippines – Australia has not received any request from the United States to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Australian minister said, as tensions in the Middle East continue to raise concerns on global security and oil supply routes.
In a press conference, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite said Canberra has not been asked to contribute naval assets to operations in the strategic waterway.
“Australia has not received a request from the United States to be involved in a naval capacity in that operation,” Thistlethwaite said.
He added that any future decision would depend on the situation and would be determined by Australia’s National Security Committee of Cabinet.
“I won’t speculate on the future. Decisions such as that are made by the National Security Committee of Cabinet based on the circumstances,” he said.
The United States, Israel and Iran are locked in airstrikes against each other amid questions on whether allied countries would be asked to support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments.
Thistlethwaite said Australia supports efforts to counter threats posed by Iran but is not directly involved in offensive military action.
“Australia has no direct offensive actions against Iran,” he said.
Instead, he said Australia has contributed defensive support, including deploying a Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and providing missiles to the United Arab Emirates to help protect civilians and Australians in the region.
“Our government will do everything we can to protect Australians who are working abroad,” he added, noting that about 115,000 Australians are based in the Middle East.
He said Australia remains committed to maintaining stability and upholding a rules-based international order as the situation evolves.
