Australia joins UK, Japan pledging ‘appropriate efforts’ in Strait of Hormuz

Australia has joined other US allies pledging readiness to “contribute to appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after the Albanese government said it would not send warships to the region.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada jointly issued the March 19 statement, which condemned Iran for its attacks on commercial ships and the “de facto closure” of the Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday, the statement was updated to include commitments from Australia, as well as New Zealand, Estonia, Romania, Sweden and Norway, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

US President Donald Trump has been pressuring US allies, including the NATO alliance, to step up defensive actions in the strait, where about one-fifth of the world’s oil transits.

The statement noted disruptions to international shipping and global energy supply chains “constitute a threat to international peace and security” under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and called for a moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement read.

“We welcome the International Energy Agency decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves.

“We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.

“Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.”

Last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia had not received any request from the United States in relation to the strait.

“We’re not contemplating sending a ship, but we we’ve not received a request,” he said.

That comment mirrored remarks last week by Transport Minister Catherine King, who also noted Australia had not been asked to, and was not contemplating, sending warships to the strait.

“Been very clear about what our contribution is in relation to requests, and so far that is to the UAE, obviously providing aircraft to assist with defence, particularly given the number of Australians that are in that area in particular,” she told ABC Radio National.

“But we won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz.

“We know how incredibly important that is, but that’s not something that we’ve been asked (or) we’re contributing to.”

On the weekend, Mr Trump told Sky News he was “very surprised” Anthony Albanese did not send troops to the Middle East.

Asked about his criticism of Australia, South Korea and Japan, Mr Trump said he would like them to “get involved”.

“I was a little bit surprised they said no … we always say yes to them.”

The Republican has ramped up criticism of US allies who he has accused of failing to meaningful enter the war on Iran after the United States and Israel’s surprise attack.

Iran overnight reportedly fired missiles towards the US-UK military installations on the Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The attack is the farthest-reaching yet by the Islamic Republic three weeks into the war.