Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles repeatedly declined to clarify whether Australia supports United States President Donald Trump's naval blockade of Iran, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. Pressed multiple times during a television interview, Marles said he would not 'second‑guess' the decisions of the United States, while adding he could understand the American reaction.

The questioning followed Iran's move to restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the blockade. Trump accused Tehran of using the strategic waterway as leverage and said Iran must not be allowed to 'blackmail' the United States. Marles did not provide a direct answer when asked if Australia backed the blockade.

Marles said Australia's E‑7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft deployed in the Gulf was operating on a defensive mission at the request of the United Arab Emirates. He insisted the aircraft was focused on monitoring airborne threats and was not supporting maritime enforcement in the Strait of Hormuz, declining to clarify whether intelligence gathered could be shared with the United States.

The Deputy Prime Minister also sidestepped questions about Trump's claim that he was 'not happy' with Australia for failing to support efforts in the region. Marles said there had been no specific request from the United States but did not elaborate further on discussions between the two nations.