Australia Rules out Warships for Hormuz

Australia has decided not to send warships to the Middle East to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the government confirmed.

Transport Minister Catherine King told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Canberra has not received any formal request to deploy naval forces to the strategic waterway.

She explained that Australia will not send a ship to the Strait of Hormuz, adding that while the route is critically important, the country has not been asked to contribute to such a mission.

Last week, Australia confirmed it had supported the United Arab Emirates with an Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to help counter Iranian attacks.

A government statement also clarified that Australia does not plan to take offensive military action against Iran.

US President Donald Trump said earlier Sunday that he had asked about seven countries that depend on Middle East oil to join a coalition aimed at securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.