Australian PM welcomes US-Iran peace deal
Canberra, June 15
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday welcomed the peace deal between the US and Iran and issued a call for both sides to show continued restraint.
In a joint statement with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Albanese said that the Australian government is "pleased" that the agreement includes steps towards re-opening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring freedom of navigation, reports Xinhua news agency.
"Australia has long called for de-escalation and an end to the conflict, including in Lebanon. As we have said, the longer this war goes on, the greater the impact will be," they said.
"Continued restraint and constructive engagement will be essential to prevent further escalation and secure a lasting agreement."
They said that Australia will continue to promote peace, stability and security in the Middle East and that the government would do everything possible to protect Australians from the "worst impacts" of the conflict.
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran had completed a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade, marking what he described as a major breakthrough after months of conflict that rattled global energy markets and raised fears of a wider regional war.
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Trump said in a post on social media.
The announcement came as international attention remained focused on the narrow waterway through which a substantial portion of the world's seaborne oil trade passes. The Strait of Hormuz has been at the centre of tensions between Washington and Tehran for months, with disruptions to shipping contributing to volatility in global energy prices.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Australia's PM is right to welcome this—India depends heavily on Middle East stability for energy security. But let's be honest, Trump's social media announcements don't inspire much confidence. We need concrete, sustainable peace, not just headlines.
Finally, some sanity! The war was hurting everyone—especially countries like India that rely on Gulf oil. I just hope Australia's "constructive engagement" means they'll actually push for lasting stability, not just cheer from the sidelines.
Jai Ho! But seriously, as an Indian, I'm happy our fuel prices might stabilize. However, Trump's 'congratulations to all' feels premature. The Middle East is a complex place—let's see if both sides actually stick to this. Actions speak louder than tweets.
As an expat living in India, this is great news for global markets. The Strait of Hormuz reopening is crucial for energy flow. But I echo the Aussie PM's call for restraint—one misstep and we're back to square one. Let's hope diplomacy wins.
Good for Australia and India—both need stability. But I'm skeptical. Trump's track record isn't great. Still, if this means cheaper petrol and less global tension, I'm all for it. Let's just hope the "peace deal" isn't just a temporary fix.
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