President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Australia for failing to provide assistance in the ongoing military campaign against Iran, even as global oil markets react violently to the prospect of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Washington, the President indicated that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could persist for several weeks, driving energy prices higher and increasing domestic pressure on his administration.
During the briefing, Mr. Trump offered a mixed assessment of Iranian negotiators, labeling them simultaneously as “great” and “strange.” He asserted that the urgency for a resolution lay with Tehran rather than the United States, casting doubt on the likelihood of an imminent agreement to halt hostilities. The President stated that Iranian officials were desperate for an exit strategy, claiming they were motivated by significant military losses sustained over the previous month.
“They are begging to make a deal, not me,” Mr. Trump said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that. They should have done that four weeks ago … The reason they desire to make a deal is they have been just beat to shit.”
Steve Witkoff, the President’s special envoy, corroborated reports that a detailed peace framework had been transmitted to Iranian leadership. Mr. Witkoff confirmed that a 15-point “action list” was delivered to Tehran through intermediaries in Pakistan. He suggested that diplomatic channels remained open, noting there were significant indicators that Iran recognized it had reached a critical juncture with limited viable options remaining.
However, expectations for immediate high-level diplomacy were tempered by Pakistani officials. Ishaq Dar, the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, utilized the social media platform X to caution against media speculation regarding face-to-face negotiations potentially scheduled for the weekend. Mr. Dar clarified that communication between Washington and Tehran was currently being conducted indirectly, with messages relayed through Pakistani diplomatic channels rather than direct summitry.
The economic ramifications of the conflict were felt immediately in global markets. The price of Brent crude, serving as the international benchmark for oil, surged nearly 6 per cent on Thursday during US trading hours, exceeding $US108 per barrel. Concurrently, domestic fuel costs in the United States faced upward pressure, with the average national price of petrol approaching $US4 per gallon. This economic strain has intensified scrutiny on the White House regarding the domestic impact of the military engagement, which the President has characterized as an “excursion.”
Mr. Trump expanded his criticism to include other traditional allies, specifically addressing the stance of the United Kingdom. When questioned about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s hesitation to commit resources to the war effort, the President expressed surprise at the lack of support from Canberra and London. He noted that while five Middle Eastern nations had offered assistance, broader international backing had been insufficient.
“[Starmer] did something that was shocking. He didn’t want to assist us,” Trump said. “Australia, too – Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia… I wouldn’t say anybody was great, other than the five countries in the Middle East. We never really had very much support.”
The President further diminished the contribution of allied military assets, specifically mocking the capability of the United Kingdom’s aircraft carriers. He described them as inferior compared to American naval power, suggesting that the current lack of support reflected poorly on allied commitment during what he termed a “little league” operation. He warned that this reluctance could jeopardize future cooperation in the event of a larger scale conflict.
In response to the President’s comments, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles defended his country’s contribution. Appearing on Nine’s Today program on Friday, Mr. Marles stated that Australia had fulfilled requests made by the United States. He clarified that the specific demand from Washington was for support directed at Gulf states, which Australia was providing through the deployment of an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to the United Arab Emirates.
“The one request we’ve had from the United States is to provide support for the Gulf states, which is, in fact, what we are doing,” Mr. Marles said.
Tensions in the region escalated following reports from Israel regarding targeted strikes against Iranian military leadership. Israeli officials claimed responsibility for an overnight airstrike that killed Alireza Tangsiri, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ navy, along with other senior naval commanders. The loss of senior military figures coincides with internal political developments in Tehran.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and a key figure in ongoing communications with the US, addressed pro-government demonstrators in Tehran. According to automated translations of posts on X, Mr. Ghalibaf congratulated protesters on their persistence, claiming their actions had created conditions for a historic victory. He asserted that no external ultimatums could be imposed on the Iranian people, signaling a hardening of domestic resolve despite external military pressure.
Meanwhile, US media outlets have reported that the Pentagon is developing contingency plans for significant escalation. Axios reported that military planners are preparing options for a decisive strike against Iranian infrastructure. These options reportedly include a blockade or invasion of the Kharg Island oil terminal, a critical facility for Iranian exports. Additional scenarios involve seizing islands near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, including Larak and Abu Musa, to secure the shipping lane.
Physical reinforcement of US forces in the region is already underway. Members of the 82nd Airborne Division are being deployed to the Middle East, joining thousands of Marines already in transit. The White House has stated that President Trump has not yet finalized the specific duties for these additional troops. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the deployment was intended to provide the President with a broader range of strategic options.
On Capitol Hill, support for the ongoing operation is facing scrutiny from within the President’s own party. Following classified briefings on the operation’s status, several Republicans have expressed concern over the information provided by the Pentagon. Nancy Mace, a Representative from South Carolina and ally of the President, reversed her earlier stance to oppose further ground troop commitments without greater legislative oversight.
“The justifications presented to the American public for the war in Iran were not the same military objectives we were briefed on today in the House armed services committee,” Ms. Mace said. “This gap is deeply troubling. The longer this war continues, the faster it will lose the support of Congress and the American people.”
Addressing lawmakers at a Republican fundraising dinner in Washington on Wednesday night, President Trump indicated a shift in terminology regarding the conflict. He stated his intention to stop referring to the campaign as a war, noting that the legal implications of the word require specific approvals. Instead, he plans to classify the engagement as a “military operation.”
“They don’t like the word ‘war’ because you’re supposed to get approval,” he said. “So I’ll use the word ‘military operation’, which is really what it is… The war essentially ended a few days after we went in.”
Despite the President’s assertion that the conflict is nearing conclusion, legislative support remains contingent on transparency regarding military objectives. Congressional leaders have yet to schedule a vote on further authorization, leaving the operational status of US forces in the region in a provisional state.
