Defence chief says Australian ships ‘ready, capable’ as Albanese calls on US and Iran to reopen strait of Hormuz

Australian prime minister says it’s ‘disappointing’ that there was no resolution on freedom of movement during weekend’s talks Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has called for the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz and free navigation for all countries, as the new defence chief said Australian ships were ready and capable of assisting if such a decision were made. Hours after the US president, Donald Trump, said he would institute an American blockade of the strategic waterway from Tuesday morning, Australian time, Albanese urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations in Pakistan. “We want to see the strait of Hormuz opened and with freedom of navigation taking place, so obviously, the lack of a resolution in the negotiations that took place on the weekend were disappointing,” Albanese said. “We want to see de-escalation and we want to see those negotiations resumed.” Albanese spoke as he announced that V Adm Mark Hammond, now the chief of the Navy, will replace the current Australian defence force chief, David Johnston, in July. Hammond said Australian for