Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for a Middle East ceasefire agreement on Wednesday while sharply condemning the threatening language used by President Donald Trump during the crisis.
The two-week truce between the United States, Israel and Iran was announced with less than two hours remaining before Trump’s ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating strikes against civilian targets.
Trump’s social media announcement marked a dramatic shift from his position earlier that day, when he delivered a stark warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” unless his demands were satisfied.
Speaking to Sky News, Albanese praised the ceasefire agreement but voiced serious concerns about the American president’s threatening statements.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern,” he said.
Though Australia initially backed U.S. military action against Iran when the conflict began, Albanese has grown increasingly uncomfortable with the escalating tensions in recent weeks.
The Australian leader recently called for Trump to provide clearer war objectives while urging all nations involved to reduce hostilities.
Trump responded to Australia’s shifting stance this week by publicly criticizing the country’s level of support.
“Australia didn’t help us,” he stated during a press conference, specifically naming Australia alongside Japan and South Korea as nations that failed to provide adequate assistance.
