Australia could join a United Kingdom, and France‑led military operation to safeguard global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese playing down any imminent commitment.
The UK and France are preparing to lead a multinational ‘defensive’ mission aimed at protecting freedom of navigation after a fragile agreement to reopen the critical waterway broke down overnight.
The Albanese government has deliberately left the door open to participation, while making clear any Australian involvement would be separate from the United States.
Mr Albanese confirmed Australia’s position after he joined a late‑night virtual leaders’ summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also in attendance.
‘There were 49 countries that participated, well into the early hours of this morning, Australian time,’ Albanese said on Saturday.
‘There was a consistent approach that we want to see de‑escalation, we want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened and we want to see no privatisation and no tolls.’
Prime Minister Starmer told the summit that a military mission would be launched as soon as ‘conditions allow’ to protect commercial shipping.
He said the operation would be ‘strictly peaceful and defensive’ and focused on reassurance and mine clearance.
Albanese (bottom left) met with World Leaders excluding the United States on Saturday
Albanese said Iran’s announcement during the meeting that it would allow ships to pass through the Strait was significant, but warned the situation remained far from settled.
That optimism quickly faded overnight, after Iran reversed its position and again closed the Strait, demanding the United States end its blockade before allowing international shipping to resume.
Albanese warned that allowing any nation to close an international chokepoint would have sweeping consequences.
‘The precedent that would be created if a country was allowed to close a navigation strait to international traffic would change the very way that the global economy operates,’ Albanese said.
While cautious about committing Australian forces, the Prime Minister acknowledged Canberra was ready to assist and would attend further talks in London this week.
‘Australia remains prepared to provide assistance,’ he said.
‘We are already responding to requests from Gulf countries, particularly the UAE, to provide the Wedgetail E‑7 aircraft as a defensive capability in the region.’
The Prime Minister stressed Australia’s focus remained on de‑escalation, protecting civilians and stabilising supply chains at home.
Albanese is understood to be considering a move to reopen the Strait without Trump (pictured)
‘We want de‑escalation and the rapid resumption of negotiations,’ he said.
‘We want to prevent further loss of innocent life and prevent damage to civilian infrastructure.’
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles remained tight‑lipped on Australia’s position regarding US actions in the Middle East, declining to comment directly on President Donald Trump or whether Australia supported the ongoing blockade.
