US President Donald Trump says he was ‘surprised’ Australia didn’t join military effort in Iran

US President Donald Trump has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at the Albanese Government, saying he was “surprised” Australia said no to joining American military efforts against Iran.

Mr Trump was asked by a Sky News reporter outside the White House about his comments three days earlier in which he had singled Australia out for criticism alongside NATO, Japan and South Korea.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have all refused to disclose what request was made by the US in the first place.

But Mr Trump now says he asked Australia to “get involved”.

“I was a little bit surprised they said no,” he said.

“We always say yes to them.”

The reporter asked Mr Trump what Australia had said no to, but the US President moved to answer other questions.

Mr Albanese spent the latter part of the week being forced to defend claims that Australia had dropped the ball after Mr TRump’s earlier comments.

On Friday, it was also revealed that Australia had elected not to become a signatory on a multi-nation statement by UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada condemning Iran’s de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking in South Australia on Friday, the PM defended his action, reiterating that Australia had sent an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and AMRAAM missiles to support a defence request from the UAE.

Australia hasn’t committed naval support despite calls from US President Donald Trump for allies to support the passage of oil tankers in the waterways.

When asked if Australia was missing in action, Mr Albanese responded “not at all”.

“We want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened,” he said.

The Albanese Labor Government must urgently explain why we are missing in action.

“We’re offering support. We’re working with our allies, including, once again, calling for the Iranian regime to allow freedom of navigation.

“This is essential for international trade.

“Again, we reiterate our calls for Iran to do the right thing and to allow for international passage to occur. The freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle, and we again call for a de-escalation.”

Mr Albanese said Australia would continue to monitor “whatever we can do to provide assistance”.

It came as Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the phone on Friday morning about the Iran conflict.

Senator Wong expressed concern about Iran’s “reprisal” attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure and said Australia was undertaking “diplomatic efforts” with engaging key international counterparts. It includes through Australia’s work with the International Maritime Organisation.

“We agreed that the international community must keep working together to ensure critical waterways are not held hostage by the Iranian regime,” she said, after speaking with her US counterpart.

“Australia does not want to see the conflict continue to escalate.”

Shadow defence minister James Paterson and shadow foreign affairs minister Ted O’Brien accused the Federal Government of being ‘glaringly absent’ on the pact.

“The Albanese Labor Government must urgently explain why we are missing in action,” the statement said.

“Were we not invited to participate? Did we decline?

“With petrol and diesel prices at record highs and experts warning of potential shortages of other critical goods like fertilisers and petro-chemicals, Australia’s national interest is clear.

“We want the Iranian regime to immediately cease threatening the free passage of shipping vessels through the Gulf.”