Advertisement
Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war
Analysts say the defensive deployment reflects Canberra’s attempt to balance alliance pressure with fears of deeper involvement in the conflict
4-MIN READ4-MIN
7
Listen
Australia’s decision to send a surveillance aircraft and air-to-air missiles to the Gulf highlights the difficult position the country now faces: supporting US and regional partners while trying to avoid being drawn deeper into the widening conflict.
Analysts said the government was “walking a very fine line” with the deployment, signalling support for partners under Iranian attack while stopping short of committing Australia to offensive operations.
At the same time, they said Canberra was reluctant to “anger” US President Donald Trump, given the importance of maintaining close defence ties with Washington, including the Aukus submarine partnership.
Advertisement
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that Canberra would help Gulf countries defend against escalating Iranian reprisals across the region.
“Iran’s reprisal attacks continue to escalate, already at a scale and depth we haven’t seen before,” Albanese said at a news conference, adding that 12 countries across the region, from Cyprus through to the Gulf, were “continuing to be targeted”.
Advertisement
He said the Royal Australian Air Force would send an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and supporting personnel to “protect and secure airspace above the Gulf” for the next four weeks and assist with the region’s “collective self-defence”.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x