Australia refuses to send warships to Strait of Hormuz

Australia has not received any requests to assist in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz and does not plan to send naval ships to the region, Catherine King, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, said in an interview with ABC Radio.

According to her, Australia will deploy a military aircraft to the United Arab Emirates to provide defence support, but will not take part in operations to secure shipping in the strait.

“We have not been asked to do so, and we are not involved in this matter. We do not intend to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz,” King emphasised.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that countries importing oil through the Strait of Hormuz should contribute to ensuring maritime security by sending warships there. Among such states, he named the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, France, and Japan.

By Khagan Isayev