The US has asked Australia to send a navy warship to the Middle East in response to recent attacks from Iranian-backed rebels.
The request comes as leaders grow increasingly fearful over the Israel-Hamas conflict spilling across the region.
Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the federal government was considering a formal request from the US, following a series of missile and drone attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi Militia targeting Israel and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“We’ve certainly had a tradition of being involved in allied operations where we’re upholding international laws and trying to secure peace and stability, particularly related to ongoing commerce – and that’s what’s really at stake here,” he said
“Obviously, there’s a flashpoint at the moment in that region with the war in Israel and that does carry some risks, but we’ll make sure that we make decisions based on what is in Australia’s interest.”
The US request comes after the UN General Assembly demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Tuesday, with Australia one of 152 countries voting in favour of the non-binding resolution.
Ten countries, including the US and Israel, opposed it.
The Iran-sponsored Houthis, who have warned they will target any ship travelling to or from Israel, claimed an attack on a commercial Norwegian oil tanker on Tuesday as part of their ongoing campaign against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
In early December, the US Defence Department said three commercial ships had been attacked by the rebels in international waters, with one US destroyer shot down by missiles.
Labor MP Josh Burns said Iran had positioned proxies to “create havoc and destabilise the region”, including militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, which owns more than 160,000 missiles.
“That needs to be worked through in a calm in steady manner and our leaders will do so if those reports are true,” Mr Burns said.
“It’s a very complicated and a very delicate picture and unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to calm down.”
Liberal senator Jane Hume said Australia remained “ready to stand by our allies in the Middle East”.
“Of course, we would support standing by Israel in any way they need and the requests from the US,” she said.
Australia shifted its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict on Tuesday, joining New Zealand and Canada to call for urgent international “efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire” in the war.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a joint statement on Wednesday expressing his deep concerns over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and called for Hamas to immediately release its hostages.
“Australia, Canada, and New Zealand mourn every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and express our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence,” the statement read.
Acting Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is expected to speak from Darwin later on Wednesday.