Original article by Michael Koziol
The Age – Page: Online : 18-Mar-26

US President Donald Trump has previously asked other countries – including NATO allies – to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure safe passage of oil tankers. However, Trump has now claimed via his Truth Social platform that due to America’s military success in the Iran war, it no longer wants or needs the assistance of NATO countries. Trump specifically mention Australia among a list of countries that the US no longer requires assistance from, although Transport Minister Catherine King has previously stated that the federal government did not receive any request from the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Joe Kent has resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, saying he could not "in good conscience" support the war; he was appointed to the role by Trump, who says Kent was "very weak on security" and "it’s a good thing that he’s out".

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