Canberra: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced his deep concerns on Wednesday over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, following the United States' recent airstrikes on Iran. The strikes were a response to the reported downing of a US Apache helicopter that was patrolling the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
According to Anadolu Agency, Albanese shared his worries during an interview with ABC News, highlighting the potential humanitarian and economic repercussions of the conflict. He cautioned that further escalation could have far-reaching consequences on a global scale. "We're very worried both about the human impact, of course, that comes with war, but also the economic impact that is having a massive effect on the global economy and will get worse rather than better," he stated, as per a transcript from his office.
Albanese emphasized his government's plea for restraint and a reduction in hostilities, advocating for "a de-escalation" in the region. Despite Australia's geographical distance from the Middle East, he acknowledged that the conflict's effects are resonating worldwide, manifesting in economic disturbances and rising costs.
Addressing the US military actions, Albanese noted that President Donald Trump was reacting to the reported destruction of an Apache helicopter by Iranian forces. He underscored the importance of achieving lasting peace, stating, "We want to see peace break out in the region in a permanent way." He further pointed out that the conflict is not only causing suffering in the Middle East but also contributing to heightened global inflation and economic uncertainty.
This statement came in the wake of US military strikes targeting southern Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that US fighter jets had struck Iranian air defense systems and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz as a countermeasure to the downing of the helicopter.
In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Wednesday that it had launched attacks on 21 American military targets located at US air and naval bases throughout the region.