Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump has called for allied nations to join a naval coalition to grant safe passage for oil carriers through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump warned, “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”
Greece and Australia are among the countries who declined this demand.
Transit through the strait has been disrupted since Iranian drone and missile attacks began, triggering a surge in global oil prices.
During a briefing with political reporters, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stated, “There is no issue of our country’s involvement in such an operation.”
Reports in Kathimerini revealed Greece’s aim was to maintain the current scope of its naval operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and did not wish to expand the mandate of the European Operation “Aspides” (Shields) to the Strait of Hormuz.
While Greece is refusing to send warships to the strait, it plans to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon following recent military activity. Greek diplomatic authorities in Lebanon are coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organise the assistance.
In Australia, Transport Minister Catherine King explained the country’s position in an interview with ABC Radio.
“We’ve been very clear about what our contribution is,” she said, noting that Australia is providing aircraft to assist the United Arab Emirates with defence, particularly for Australians in the region.
“But we won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is. That’s not something that we’ve been asked or we’re contributing.”
Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson emphasised, “Australia’s primary focus remains the Indo-Pacific.”
Jennifer Parker, adjunct fellow in naval studies at UNSW, added that even if Australia wanted to participate, “we simply don’t have enough ships.”
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, Kathimerini