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Australia is gearing up to join a significant peacekeeping mission aimed at safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on the finalization of an agreement.
Negotiations regarding the specifics of this operation are slated to take place later this week in London, with potential for additional military involvement.
Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that Australia is collaborating with international allies, including the UK, France, and the US, though he declined to speculate on the precise nature of Australia’s contribution.
“At this point, there hasn’t been a formal request for specific Australian resources. However, we are prepared to offer support,” Marles remarked during an interview on ABC’s Insiders.
He emphasized the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to Australia, noting, “It is crucial for us that the strait remains open and that the global fuel supply chain operates smoothly.”
Maintaining law on international waters will be an international effort and differ from traditional peacekeeping missions.
The opposition is already on board.
“We need to inject ourselves into this dispute and make sure that there’s the safe navigation of those tankers,” former Nationals leader David Littleproud said.
But a truce seems tricky to obtain and what that truce looks like is impossible to predict.
A 49-nation alliance led by Britain and France is preparing a peacekeeping mission.
“This really matters for all countries because this is impacting each and every one of our countries,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Australia and China are among them but America is not.
Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam said Iran could not be allowed to hold the rest of the world to random.
“If a request is made I would think it is in our interest to support any plan to open the straight of Hormuz.,” he said.
That request will be discussed at a meeting in London this week.
With Australia’s E7 Wedgetail early warning and surveillance aircraft already in the region, extending that deployment to monitor the straits is the most likely outcome
“We have a very significant platform which is currently in the region – which right now is being optimised for the defence of the states of the gulf,” Marles said.
The first opening of the strait saw the price of oil drop suddenly.
The hope is that a permanent opening will eventually see prices drop permanently as well but that is no guarantee.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said it was a challenging period.
“If the conflict continues it will be more challenging, that’s way we are working hard with our international partners,” he told Sky News Sunday Agenda.