Australia to join 34 countries — but not the US — in meeting on Strait of Hormuz
Australia will join a virtual meeting of 35 countries to discuss plans to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz and ease an oil shock rocking global markets.
The meeting will be led by the United Kingdom, which has coordinated efforts to gather countries willing to contribute to reopening the Strait.
But the United States will be notably absent from discussions, as President Donald Trump has publicly berated Western allies for not doing enough to assist the US in its war with Iran.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will represent Australia in the virtual meeting, scheduled to take place late tonight Australian time.
Australia already has military assets in the region, with an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and 85 crew deployed to the United Arab Emirates.
Defence minister Richard Marles said Australia remained willing to discuss what it could do to help.
"We are talking with countries like the UK and France about what contribution we could usefully make," he said.
"I'd emphasise that we have an E‑7 Wedgetail in the region right now, helping in supporting the defence of the countries of the Gulf, and particularly the United Arab Emirates.
"But we will continue to talk with the UK and France and others about what we can usefully do."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/global-meeting-australia-34-countries-strait-of-hormuz/106525100