Australia’s strategic dependence on the US means any public criticism of Donald Trump’s foul-mouthed tirade overnight could risk backfiring, Barnaby Joyce says, as he warned weighing into the debate could worsen domestic impacts of the Iran war.
Last night, Mr Trump threatened to attack Iranian infrastructure in an expletive-laden post on Truth Social, writing: “Open the F****n’ Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” pointing to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” he wrote.
About a third of the world’s oil supply travels through the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions to the channel, and to the wider Middle East region – which is a major producer of crude oil – have triggered global energy shocks and sent fuel prices skyrocketing, sparking fears of global shortages.
Mr Trump has given Iran until April 8 to re-open the channel.
But on Monday, Mr Joyce – who served as Australia’s deputy prime minister during part of Mr Trump’s first term – was reluctant to criticise the US leader’s comments.
He told Seven’s Sunrise: “My take is he’s the President of the United States, so I’ll leave it up to the people the United States to comment on the President of the United States.”
“One thing I do know is, it can only make things worse for Australians if we participate in sort of a character reference of the President,” the One Nation MP said.
“We are going to rely on the United States incredibly, if things get worse, and it sounds like they’re not getting better.”
He later backed Mr Trump and said he had faith in the US leader, before adding: “ … You can have all the meetings in the world, and I suppose they assist somewhat, but unless the United States of America wants to be part of opening up the Strait of Hormuz, they’re not going to be opened up.”
Mr Joyce was pointing to Australia’s participation, alongside more than 40 countries, in crisis talks held by the United Kingdom, excluding the US, to debate what international efforts could be made to reopen the sea passage.
Later, Energy Minister Chris Bowen would also not be drawn on Mr Trump’s profane comments, telling the same broadcaster: “Well, I wouldn’t use such colourful language, but I would say we want to see the Strait of Hormuz open and flowing, and that is in the best interest of the world economy.”
He later added: “I’m not going to provide a running commentary on everything that Donald Trump or anyone else says about this dispute in the Middle East, because it’s pretty fast-changing … We want to see more clarity about the objectives of the United States and when and how they’ll be met.”
“We also want to see Iran open up the Strait of Hormuz so that fuel can flow to not only Australians but to people around the world, and our economy can get back to more normal,” he said.
Mr Trump’s overnight threats to Iranian power plants and bridges follows similar threats outlined in a previous social media post, including the possible targeting of water plants.
The US leader wrote he was considering “blowing up and completely obliterating” de-salination plants, alongside electricity plants, oil wells, and Iran’s oil export terminal, Kharg Island.
Legal experts have flagged such a move would constitute a breach of international law.
The US leader has frequently taken to social media to share his frustrations with Iran, as well as NATO countries and Asia-Pacific allies, including Australia, for refusing to aid his war effort, including the provision of a naval coalition to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz.
