Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday announced Australia's support to the US-led mission for safe shipping in the Gulf, saying that the freedom of navigation through international waters is a fundamental right of all states under international law.
Morrison's announcement came in the wake of heightened tensions between Iran and the UK following seizure of ships at the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
"Freedom of navigation through international waters is a fundamental right of all states under international law. All states have a right to expect safe passage of their maritime trade consistent with international law," Morrison said in a statement.
Morrison said that Australia would deploy a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft to the Middle East for one month before the end of this year, an Australian Frigate next January for six months and an ADF personnel to the International Maritime Security Construct headquarters in Bahrain.
"The government is reaffirming its commitment to freedom of navigation and safe passage through the Gulf by announcing it will support an international maritime security mission," he said.
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In view of the increasing threat to the freedom of navigation in the Gulf, the United States has been seeking participation of other countries in its maritime security initiative in the region.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month said that the initiative was being taken to keep these waterways open so that commercial traffic can continue to flow there and to reduce the risk that the leadership in Iran thinks that they can take a ship from the sea or do harm to any vessel, either American or otherwise.
Morrison said that the mission will see the Australian Defence Force work alongside its international partners to assure the security of merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
He noted that the incidents involving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz over the past few months were of concern and that "this destabilising behaviour" was a threat to Australian interests in the region.
"We have been working closely with our allies and partners, particularly the US and the UK, on this issue, which impacts global security and stability," he said.
Morrison said that it was in Australia's interest to work with international partners to uphold these rights and the country's forces will always conduct themselves in accordance with their international legal obligations.
"This will be an enhancement of our existing and longstanding contribution to counter-piracy and counter-terrorism missions in the waters of the Middle East. Our contribution will be modest, meaningful and time limited and it will be part of an international mission,'' he said.
"Working with partners, we will play our part in shaping a better future for Australia and Australians, as well as our region and the world," he added.
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