‘They were not there’: Trump blasts Australia again
US President Donald Trump has again singled out Australia for not providing military assistance in his war against Iran, claiming “we asked them to be there”.
While Lebanon and Israel agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, Mr Trump criticized Australia for not providing military aid to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“I’m not happy with Australia because they weren’t there when we asked them to be there,” he said.
“As far as Ormuz is concerned, they weren’t there. So I’m not happy. I’m not happy with them.”
However, Defense Minister Richard Marles reiterated that the United States did not make a specific request for military support in the Middle East.
“We will work with all our partners and allies, including the United States, on what needs to be done regarding the Strait of Hormuz,” he told ABC Radio on Friday.
“I’m not going to make a running commentary on what the President of the United States has said. So, we deal with situations as we encounter them.”
“However, we strongly support the strategic goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a deployable nuclear weapon and this capability.”
Australia had deployed an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the Middle East upon the request of Gulf countries to defend against missile attacks.
The federal government is in regular contact with the Trump administration “at different levels,” Mr. Marles said.
“Our alliance with the United States is as important today as ever, and we continue to work deeply with the United States, and that includes engaging with them where we are,” he said.
Opposition defense spokesman James Paterson said the relationship between the US and Australia should be prioritized despite the president’s criticism.
“The reality is that he is the president of our most important ally and will remain so for the next three years. So this is an important relationship to manage,” he told ABC Radio.
“It’s very unfortunate that there is this discrepancy between what the Australian government is saying and what the US government is saying.”
Senator Paterson said Australia should join as part of the multinational effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Finance Minister Jim Chalmers, who was in Washington to meet with other finance ministers, said that no official request had been received from the USA.
“It is not unusual for President Trump to request greater investment from allied partners when it comes to defense,” he told reporters.
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