Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a rare criticism of US President Donald Trump, describing his threats against Iran as “extraordinary” and inappropriate. Trump had posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight”, prompting Albanese to say such language from a US president was not appropriate and would cause concern.
Albanese welcomed a conditional two-week ceasefire deal between the US and Iran, which is set to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping. He described the news as “very positive” and expressed hope it would lead to a permanent end to the conflict that has driven up global fuel prices.
The ceasefire was announced less than two hours before Trump’s self-imposed deadline for Iran to surrender or face widespread destruction, including the bombing of bridges and power plants. Albanese said threatening to destroy civilian infrastructure was an extraordinary statement, and stressed that any conflict must be conducted within international law, protecting civilians.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan had urged Albanese to make clear to the US that Australia would not support Trump’s threat of widespread bombings, calling for de-escalation. Albanese, who has previously avoided criticising Trump’s inflammatory language, said the ceasefire was a good thing and called for de-escalation.
The two-week ceasefire, agreed after a last-minute diplomatic intervention led by Pakistan, is designed to allow time to negotiate a permanent resolution. Iran’s foreign minister said the deal would temporarily allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively shut in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes on 28 February.
