The Australian government does not intend to join the US in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, said Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite.
“We believe that the best way to achieve lasting peace and ultimately lower petrol prices for Australians is through a negotiated agreement“, he said on Sky News.
Australia, he added, “is disappointed that the talks in Islamabad on April 11 did not produce a result“. “We would like to see those talks resumed. "This is the best way to permanently open the strait, restore the international economy, restore oil supplies and lower prices for Australians," the minister explained.
Commenting on US President Donald Trump's statements on the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the US was acting independently on this issue. "We have not received any requests. We have not been invited to participate and I do not expect to be invited," he said.
On April 12, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that some NATO countries intend to help Washington in the Strait of Hormuz. He had previously said that US and other naval forces were beginning a blockade of the strait.