Australia defends war efforts after Trump attack
The Australian government insists it still has not received any direct requests from the United States for military assistance in its war with Iran, following a public attack by President Donald Trump.
The US president criticized allied countries for not providing aid to the conflict as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on global oil prices.
“(British Prime Minister Keir Starmer) didn’t want to help us. Neither did Australia. Australia wasn’t very good. Australia surprised me a little bit,” Mr. Trump said.
Australia is providing military assistance to the Persian Gulf region at the request of the United Arab Emirates.
Defense Secretary Richard Marles said he would not listen to the president’s criticism, but no request had been received from the White House.
“The last thing I would do is make a running commentary on what the president has said; all we can do is respond to this situation, respond to the demands that come from us,” he told ABC TV on Friday.
“We look at all the requests we receive from countries around the world, including the United States, and of course we respond to them within our national interests.
“Defending the Gulf states is really important given our relationship with them.”
An E-7A Wedgetail military surveillance aircraft and 85 defense personnel were sent to the UAE to monitor Iranian drone attacks.
Mr Marles said the request for assistance from the UAE was the only request received by Australia since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
“E-7 is in the region and plays a really important role,” he said.
“It plays an important role in the defense of the Gulf states. We will see what role we can play in this together with our friends and partners.
The US president extended until April 6 the deadline he set for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before possible attacks on energy infrastructure.
Federal Minister Murray Watt said it was imperative that the war be resolved as quickly as possible.
“From an Australian perspective, we support anything that will open the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible and restore some of the fuel chains that have been disrupted,” Senator Watt told ABC Radio on Friday.
“The longer this dispute continues and the longer the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, it will continue to have impacts on the Australian economy and Australian families.”
Sarah Henderson, one of the leading figures in the coalition, said that the government should explain why military aid was not provided to the USA.
“It’s quite shameful that we’re being called out on the international stage for not providing the necessary assistance to the US,” he told Sky News.
“The United States is our strongest defense ally. This is very gloomy news from the United States overnight.”
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