Australia to send 200 troops and warship to security flashpoint in Middle East – as Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it’s ‘in our national interest’
- Australian troops, planes and warships to guard Strait of Hormuz in Middle East
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement to reporters Wednesday
- He said any threat to the disruption of shipping in region was a national threat
Australia will send troops, planes and warships to help guard the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday Australia would make a ‘modest and time-limited’ contribution to international efforts to protect freedom of navigation in the region.
‘The government has decided it’s in Australia’s national interests to work with our international partners to contribute to an international maritime security mission in the Middle East,’ he told reporters at Parliament House.
Australia will send troops, planes and warships to help guard the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East (pictured, Mr Morrison visits troops in Iraq in 2018)
A warship, surveillance aircraft and up to 200 defence personnel will be sent to the Persian Gulf as part of the pledge.
Mr Morrison said keeping the region open to shipping was important and any threat of disruption was a national threat to Australia.
‘Fifteen to 16 per cent of crude oil and 25 to 30 per cent of refined oil destined for Australia transits through the Strait of Hormuz,’ he said.
‘So it is a potential threat to our economy.’
The added muscle will help to protect oil tankers and cargo ships from threats posed by Iran.
‘This destabilizing behavior is a threat to Australia’s interests in the region,’ Mr Morrison said.
Tensions have flared in the region after Iran seized a British oil tanker and the UK responded tit-for-tat and seized an Iranian tanker near Gibraltar.
The Iranian tanker had been impounded for six weeks, before it was released.
The US promptly unsealed a warrant to seize the ship and its cargo citing violations of US sanctions, though Iran strongly warned the country against taking the tanker.
Mr Morrison responded to fears that Australia was being roped into further US-led military efforts in the Middle East.
‘The United States is pulling this together, but it’s also the UK’s view that this provides the opportunity for others to be involved in a multi-national engagement,’ he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday Australia would make a ‘modest and time-limited’ contribution to international efforts to protect freedom of navigation in the region (pictured, Mr Morrison visiting troops in Iraq in 2018)
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds was by Mr Morrison’s side during the announcement and added the effort would be focused on ‘de-escalation’.
‘Australia’s core interest in this mission is de-escalation. It is all about de-escalating rising tensions in the Gulf,’ Senator Reynolds said.
Mr Morrison has already spoken with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the matter.
He said further discussions on the matter would be held with world leaders at the upcoming G7 Summit in France.
‘The international environment is very difficult. The global economy is facing rising headwinds, as I’ve noted before – rising geopolitical tensions and protectionism is weighing heavily on global confidence and growth,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘We will work with our partners. We will play our part in shaping a better future for Australia, and Australians, as well as in the region and across the world.’
Mr Morrison said keeping the region open to shipping was important and any threat of disruption was a national threat to Australia (stock image)