In a recent interview, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles sidestepped questions regarding the nation’s involvement in the ongoing Middle East tensions and the controversial blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
During a segment on ABC’s Insiders, host David Speers persistently queried Marles about Australia’s stance on Trump’s naval blockade of Iran. This blockade has become a focal point of international attention, particularly after Iran declared its intent to limit access through the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation.
On Saturday, Iran announced its decision to close off the strategic Strait, a critical passage for global oil shipments, while the U.S. blockade remains in effect. This move has further strained relations, prompting President Trump to accuse Iran of wielding the waterway as a tool for leverage. He insisted that the United States cannot be coerced by what he described as “blackmail” tactics from Tehran.
Amidst these rising tensions, Speers asked Marles directly, “Do you support this blockade or not?” However, Marles refrained from giving a clear endorsement or opposition, responding instead, “I’m not about to second‑guess America’s reaction in the context of that.”
‘Do you support this blockade or not?’ Speers asked.
‘I’m not about to second‑guess America’s reaction in the context of that,’ Marles said.
When Speers noted Marles wouldn’t state Australia’s position, the Defence Minister again sidestepped.
‘What I’m saying is I’m not going to second‑guess the decisions that they’re making,’ he said.
Marles (pictured) did not give a direct yes‑or‑no answer on Australia’s Middle East involvement
Marles added only that he could ‘understand the American reaction’.
Speers grilled Marles about Australia’s military presence in the Gulf, in particular the E‑7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft currently deployed.
The Defence Minister said the Wedgetail had been sent ‘at the request of the UAE’ and was focused only on defending Gulf states.
‘It’s there to provide for the defence of the countries of the Gulf, principally the UAE,’ Marles said.
‘It’s about being able to provide visibility of threats, particularly those that become airborne.’
Marles made it clear the aircraft was not tasked with supporting the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and insisted its mission was solely air defence, not maritime enforcement.
‘That is actually a bit different to what one might do in respect of any particular operation in relation to the Strait of Hormuz,’ he said.
When asked whether intelligence gathered by the Wedgetail could be shared with the US, Marles refused to answer directly, saying military capabilities do not operate in ‘yes‑or‑no’ terms.
David Speers (pictured) asked Marles 11 times about Australia’s involvement in the Middle East
He described the Wedgetail as ‘optimised’ to detect airborne threats to Gulf states, saying questions about its relevance to the blockade were ‘not relevant in the context of what this capability is doing’.
‘I don’t think it’d be right to characterise that,’ he said, repeatedly calling the deployment a ‘defensive mission’.
Attention then turned to Trump’s complaints that Australia had refused a US request for support in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Thursday, the US president told reporters he was ‘not happy’ with Australia’s involvement in US-led efforts in the region.
‘Well, I’m not happy with Australia,’ Trump said.
‘Because they were not there when we asked them to be there. They were not there having to do with Hormuz. I’m not happy. I’m not happy.’
Asked if Trump was referencing the blockade, Marles again refused to engage.
‘I can’t give a running commentary on what the president says,’ he said.
Marles said the E‑7 Wedgetail deployed to the Middle East was conducting a defensive mission
Speers pressed further, asking if any form of request, formal or informal, had come from the US.
Marles replied only, ‘there has not been a specific request’, and did not clarify whether broader discussions had taken place.
When told Trump claimed Australia was asked and declined, Marles simply said, ‘I’ve articulated what Australia’s posture is.’
