Australia Confirms It Will Join UK/France-Led Defensive Naval Mission in Strait of Hormuz — Day 75

Australia announced on May 13, 2026 (Day 75) that it will participate in the 'strictly defensive' UK/France-led naval mission to secure commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once the mission is formally established. The announcement marks the first non-NATO, non-US ally to publicly commit forces to the Hormuz escort framework — a significant expansion of the coalition beyond the Anglo-French initiative. Australia's commitment is framed as strictly defensive: protecting Australian-flagged and Australian-crewed vessels against IRGC threats, not participating in US offensive or enforcement operations. Australia's participation reflects the severe impact of the Hormuz blockade on Indo-Pacific energy supplies: Japan and South Korea — which were earlier asked to join a US coalition escort force but declined — will be watching Australia's experience closely. The UK/France mission has not yet formally launched: it awaits a defined political and operational framework, and Iran's expanded Hormuz geographic definition announced the same day adds new legal and operational complications. Iran warned on May 11 that European nations should not send warships to Hormuz; Australia's announcement will likely trigger a parallel warning from Tehran.