Anthony Albanese has called for the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz and free navigation for all countries, as the new defence chief said Australian ships were ready and capable of assisting if such a decision were made.
Hours after the US president, Donald Trump, said he would institute an American blockade of the strategic waterway from Tuesday morning, Australian time, Albanese urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations in Pakistan.
“We want to see the strait of Hormuz opened and with freedom of navigation taking place, so obviously, the lack of a resolution in the negotiations that took place on the weekend were disappointing,” Albanese said.
“We want to see de-escalation and we want to see those negotiations resumed.”
Albanese spoke as he announced that V Adm Mark Hammond, now the chief of the Navy, will replace the current Australian defence force chief, David Johnston, in July.
Hammond said Australian forces would be ready to contributing to an international effort to reopen the strait, if the government made a decision to assist.
“The navy is ready as it ever has been,” he said, echoing comments from Johnston last week.
He said of the navy’s 10 major combatant ships, eight were currently deployed.
“They are fitted with one of the most advanced radars in the world ... and some of the most advanced missile-engagement systems in the world.
“Are they capable of performing the mission? As Johnson said last week, absolutely. The question of a contribution is one consideration by the Australian government, should they receive a request. And there’s been no such request.”
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailAfter negotiations in Pakistan – led by the US vice-president, JD Vance – failed to resolve the crisis, Trump threatened to bomb Iranian water treatment facilities, power plants and bridges if the regime in Tehran did not agree to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
Trump instructed the US navy to begin “blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the strait of Hormuz”.
But Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded by declaring that if any warships approached the strait to enforce a blockade, the move would be treated as a breach of the ceasefire and prompt a strong response. It also insisted the strait remained under Iranian control.
About 20% of global oil supplies usually go through the strait, now subject to Iranian drone strikes and undersea mines.
Trump has name-checked Australia as among countries not assisting with the US war effort, even as he insisted no help was required.
Albanese stressed that the Australian government’s view was that the ceasefire should extend to Israel’s fighting with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.
He expressed sympathy with members of the Lebanese diaspora in Australia.
“I feel for grieving families who have lost innocent relatives and friends, wherever that occurs.
“The conflict is having a greater impact in developing countries that require fuel for just the absolute essentials of life is having. It’s having an enormous impact, which is why we’ve called for, consistently, a de-escalation and a solution going forward.”
Lebanon and Israel have agreed to hold their first meeting on Tuesday at the US state department, to discuss a possible ceasefire and broader peace talks.
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, said 57 fuel shipments, including crude oil, jet fuel, diesel and petrol, were on their way to Australia, and that the government continued to make contingencies for supply without expecting the strait of Hormuz would be reopened.
Albanese and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, will also visit Brunei and Malaysia this week to shore up fuel supply.
