Trump chided over ‘extraordinary’ Iran war threats
The prime minister said a deal to stop the war in Iran and reopen a key trade route for oil was a positive move, but Donald Trump’s threat to end Iranian civilization was cause for concern.
The US president agreed to stop attacking Iran for two weeks in exchange for reopening the economically critical Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s virtual closure of the narrow waterway has caused oil prices to soar and thrown global supply chains into chaos.
Anthony Albanese said the interim agreement brokered by Pakistan was a welcome development that would hopefully lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities.
“This is positive news, we have been calling for de-escalation for some time,” he told Sky News on Wednesday.
But Mr Albanese criticized the US president’s threat ahead of the ceasefire agreement that “an entire civilization will die tonight” if its terms were not met.
Mr. Trump also said he would target Iran’s bridges and power plants if a deal is not reached.
The Prime Minister said, “I think it is inappropriate for the US president to use such language and that it will cause some concerns.”
“The potential to damage civilian infrastructure in Iran was an extraordinary revelation.”
Asked whether attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes, Mr Albanese said it was only good to see a easing of hostilities.
“There is a long step between a tweet and this proposal. We called for de-escalation and this happened,” he said.
The pope and the head of the United Nations were among those who criticized Mr. Trump’s comments.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen struck a more cautious tone regarding the ceasefire agreement, warning Australians not to get ahead of themselves.
“We welcome the progress but I don’t think we can say the Strait of Hormuz is open anymore,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“There’s more work to be done.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the ceasefire agreement was a good development and would help reduce prices in Australia.
“The imperative result here is for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened and our oil and refined products to come to Australia, creating downward pressure on prices,” he said.
When asked about Mr. Trump’s threat, Mr. Taylor said he would not use the same language.
Earlier, Nationals leader Matt Canavan called on Australia to push back against the president’s rhetoric.
“It is our duty to implore our friends in the United States to de-escalate this tension and de-escalate quickly,” he told ABC Radio.
“As these things often do, it got out of hand very quickly… now is the time for Australia and the prime minister to make it clear that we cannot support that kind of approach to conflict of any kind.”
Following the announcement of a cessation of hostilities, the Australian stock market gained almost three percent at the opening, while the Australian dollar rose to 70.75 US cents and oil prices fell.
Mr. Trump said he had received a 10-point plan from Iran aimed at ending the war and that it was “doable.”
“Almost all of the various points of contention between the US and Iran have been agreed upon, but a two-week period will allow for the agreement to be finalized and completed,” he said in a post on the Truth Social platform.
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