Prime Minister Scott Morrison won’t rule out Australian involvement in a potential military conflict between the United States and Iran, saying he would deal with any request “seriously and on its merits”.
Mr Morrison said Australia’s potential support or involvement wasn’t discussed during his dinner with US President Donald Trump last night.
“It certainly wasn’t sought,” he told the ABC. “We talked about these issues and we have been watching them very closely as well but there are no requests and at this stage I think those issues are a bit premature but we are obviously concerned.”
Mr Morrison said the Australian government would continue to work closely with the US and deal with any request in the “normal way”.
“We would deal with any request from an ally such as the United States seriously and on its merits.”
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia is considering whether to place further economic sanctions on Iran, after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Australia to adopt a tougher stance in a bid to boost global pressure on the rogue regime.
“We continually consider and update sanctions,” Mr Birmingham told the ABC. “We do already have economic sanctions in place in your life in relation to Iran. The situation there is certainly a troubling one.”
Read the article by Alice Workman and Cameron Stewart in The Australian.