Australia defended its efforts to assist the United States and other allies in the Middle East on Friday 27 March, following criticism from the American president who described Canberra’s contribution as “not great”.
Donald Trump urged allied countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Australia to deploy warships to secure the crucial oil supply routes that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
While many countries declined, the American president criticized Australia for its presumed lack of support.
“Australia has not been great. I was a little surprised by Australia,” he said on Thursday 26 March during a White House government meeting.
“Australia was not consulted”
“No request made to Australia was rejected,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the press in Canberra on Friday.
“I also want to emphasize that Australia was not consulted before this action was taken. I respect that, it concerns the United States,” he added.
Anthony Albanese assured that his country was in touch with the Gulf states attacked by Iran and had provided a surveillance plane to help defend the United Arab Emirates, where many Australians live.
The United States is Australia’s main security ally. The two countries, along with the United Kingdom, are also part of the Aukus pact aimed at building more nuclear submarines to counter China.
“We want de-escalation and we understand that this war has a significant global economic impact,” Anthony Albanese said, adding that Australia has a “dislike” for the Iranian regime.
Original article published on BFMTV.com
