Albanese’s warning to Donald Trump over the Middle East conflict: ‘Very difficult’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on US President Donald Trump to clearly set out America’s objectives in the war against Iran, warning it will be difficult to successfully orchestrate a regime change in the Middle East nation.
Speaking in Canberra on Monday, Albanese said his chief concern was the lack of clarity about the direction and aims of the conflict.
The conflict, which began on February 28, shows little sign of ending, with the Pentagon reportedly planning to send more troops to the Middle East and conduct raids near the Strait of Hormuz.
‘I want to see more certainty in what the objectives of the war are, and I want to see a de-escalation,’ Albanese said.
He stressed that reducing tensions was not merely a regional priority.
‘A de-escalation is in the global economy’s interests.’
Albanese was quick to add that pushing for dialogue should not be misinterpreted as sympathy for Iran’s hardline regime.
‘I have nothing but contempt for the Iranian regime,’ he said, emphasising his strong opposition to Iran’s ruling elite.
The Prime Minister noted that, in his view, the original goals of the US-led campaign had largely been achieved.
‘At the beginning of the conflict, the objectives were outlined as one: stopping Iran getting a nuclear weapon, and I agree that has clearly been achieved,’ Albanese said.
He added that a second objective, limiting Iran’s ability to project military power at home and through its regional proxies, had also been met.
‘The second objective was degrading the opportunity that Iran has for engaging in military action, either overtly or through its proxies in Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, and clearly there has been substantial degrading of Iran’s position,’ he said.
However, Albanese expressed serious concern at what he described as a potential third objective: regime change.
He warned that history showed outside attempts to impose regime change rarely succeed, and often lead to further instability.
‘The third objective was regime change, and I think history tells us very clearly that regime change imposed from outside is very difficult and tends to happen from the bottom up within a country, rather than being imposed from outside,’ he said.
He argued that military action often escalates nationalism and can entrench rather than weaken authoritarian governments.
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‘Military action against a nation will tend to promote nationalism within that nation,’ Albanese said.
Albanese said he personally wanted to see change in Tehran.
‘I would like to see the Iranian regime, which I regard as abhorrent and reprehensible, replaced,’ he said, adding that Australia stands firmly with the Iranian people.
‘I certainly stand with the Iranian people who have been subjected to abuse, human rights atrocities and oppression for a long period of time, particularly women and minority groups who have been persecuted by this abhorrent regime,’ he said.
Albanese said Washington must be explicit about its ultimate intentions, warning that uncertainty could prolong both the conflict and its economic aftershocks.
‘I think it needs to be clearly outlined whether that is going to occur or not,’ he said, arguing that ‘strategic ambiguity’ risked prolonging conflict and global economic pain.
Trump has previously criticised Australia for failing to do more to assist the United States in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
‘[UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer] didn’t want to help us,’ he said
‘Australia, too. Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia,’
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Albanese’s comments followed criticism from senior Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who questioned Trump’s handling of the conflict and said allies had been left without adequate information.
Hastie said the lack of clear planning had allowed Iran to exert outsized pressure on global markets.
‘Iran has been able to pretty much hold the whole world economy to ransom,’ he told ABC’s Insiders on Sunday.
He warned that the economic fallout was likely to worsen, with political consequences extending beyond the United States.
‘The economic pain is going to be more acute, and [the Australian public] are going to question the judgement of the president,’ Hastie said.
Hastie added that allies could have better prepared for the crisis had they been given sufficient warning.
‘Had we had a bit more lead time, we would not be in the current crisis we are now.’