‘Disappointing’: Richard Marles calls for Strait of Hormuz reopening after Iran reversal
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The news: Defence Minister Richard Marles has called Iran’s decision to reverse plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as “disappointing”.
Speaking on ABC Insiders on Sunday morning, when pressed about whether Australia supports the US’ blockade on Iran, Marles said he was “not about to second guess” the US’ decisions.
He said it was in Australia’s interest for the temporary ceasefire to become permanent and for fuel supply chains to return to normal.
The context: Marles was speaking shortly after news broke that Iran was reversing plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, due to the US’ continued blockade.
Marles revealed a $10.9 billion increase in defence spending during an address to the National Press Club last week.
Asked about US President Donald Trump’s public comments that Australia has refused to help in the war, Marles declined to provide a “running commentary” but said there had not been a “specific” request from the US to provide particular assets or capability in relation to assisting the blockade.
“We are working with the UK, with France, with all of our friends and partners and that does include the United States in respect of what the future might hold. And we are clearly going to help but the nature of that help ... I’m not going to speculate on,” Marles said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a virtual global meeting on reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Australia will be contributing to another meeting later this week, which Marles said would have a “defence focus”.
What they said: "There is a situation right now ... where Iran has sought to block the Strait of Hormuz, that is what has happened,” Marles said.
“Ultimately, what we want to see is the Strait of Hormuz open and I know that’s what the United States wants and I’m not about to second guess their decisions,” he said.
Asked about the Australian public’s support for the US alliance, Marles said it was “important for all Australians to understand how significant the relationship is” and it shouldn’t be measured based on any specific US administration or Australian government. A Capital Brief/DemosAU poll released last week revealed a collapse in support for Trump.
Marles said the presence of the US in the Indo-Pacific is critical as there is “no strategic balance without the presence of the United States and so this continues to be a critically important relationship for Australia and it will be for decades to come”.
“This is something which should not be measured over a couple of years, this is a relationship which is measured over decades,” he said.
The source: Insiders
