Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on the United States to refrain from resuming strikes on Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, warning it would worsen economic pressures already fuelling widespread protests across Europe and further destabilise the global economy. Wong made her comments at the G20 summit in Atlanta, where expectations are growing that US President Donald Trump will order new military action against Iran as soon as after the November 3 polls.
Speaking in Atlanta, Wong said she had consistently made Australia's opposition to further escalation clear, both publicly and privately, including during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'We want to see an end to the escalation, we want to see de-escalation, and we want to see negotiations, and for the conflict to be resolved and for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened,' she said.
Rubio would not characterise the progress of Qatari-mediated talks with Iran, nor give them a timeframe, but said Trump's preference was always to find a diplomatic solution. However, he said that 'there are some issues in the world that cannot be solved peacefully, unfortunately,' pointing to what he said was Iran blowing up ships carrying energy destined for countries represented at the G20 table.
The G20 talks took place amid large-scale protests in France, Spain, Germany and other European countries over economics, education, immigration and the Israel/Palestine issue. Wong argued there was a growing link between the unrest and hardships caused by higher fuel, grocery and transport prices resulting from the ongoing wars, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Energy insecurity had hit hardest those who could least afford it, she said.
A communique issued by the US after the summit noted the global impacts of energy disruptions and weaponised food supply chains, but no specific initiatives emerged from the meeting to counter those threats. Asked whether the contemporary crises were substantially of America's own making, Wong said her view was to advocate for Australia's national interest, which is de-escalation and an open Strait of Hormuz.
Wong also attended a meeting of the Quad group of nations, where a statement referred to 'super intelligence', though Australia, Japan and India have not joined the US in rebranding artificial intelligence as Trump advocates. She declined to comment on the imminent US midterm elections, saying Australia works with the US regardless of its political makeup.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Escalation of US-Iran conflict could further disrupt global energy markets and fuel inflation, directly affecting households and businesses worldwide.
- The link between war-related cost-of-living pressures and European social unrest suggests broader political instability could deepen if new strikes occur.
- Australia's public warning reflects a rare rift between close allies on a major security issue, underscoring the diplomatic stakes.
Background
The current conflict began eight months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint, has contributed to global energy disruptions and rising prices. Qatar has been mediating talks with Iranian negotiators in an effort to prevent re-escalation.
Key Perspectives
Penny Wong (Australia): Warns that new US strikes would worsen global instability and economic pressures driving protests; calls for de-escalation, negotiation and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Marco Rubio (US): Says Trump prefers a diplomatic solution but acknowledges that some issues cannot be resolved peacefully, citing Iranian attacks on ships carrying energy supplies to G20 nations.
What to Watch
- Whether Trump orders strikes against Iran immediately after the November 3 midterm elections, as widely expected.
- Progress of Qatari-mediated talks with Iran and any signs of a diplomatic breakthrough or breakdown.
- Impact of any escalation on European protests and global energy prices, particularly oil and gas markets.
Checked
9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
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- SupportedWong warned the US not to resume strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, citing worsening instability.The Age - Latest News: “Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged the United States not to resume strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, warning it would worsen economic pressures that are driving the protests and social instability in France, Spain and elsewhere around the world.”
- SupportedWong said further strikes would worsen economic pressures already fuelling widespread protests across Europe.The Age - Latest News: “Wong has urged the United States not to resume strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, warning it would worsen economic pressures that are driving the protests and social instability in France, Spain and elsewhere around the world.”
- Partly supportedWong warned that further strikes would further destabilise the global economy.The Age - Latest News: “Wong has urged the United States not to resume strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, warning it would worsen economic pressures that are driving the protests and social instability in France, Spain and elsewhere around the world.”
- SupportedExpectations were growing that Trump would order new strikes against Iran as soon as after the November 3 polls.The Age - Latest News: “Expectations are growing that US President Donald Trump will order new strikes against Iran as soon as this week, possibly the day after Americans go to the polls on November 3.”
- SupportedWong said she had consistently made Australia’s opposition to further escalation clear publicly and privately, including in a meeting with Rubio.The Age - Latest News: “Wong said she had consistently made that view clear at the G20 in Atlanta, including during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “What we have articulated privately and publicly are the same,” she said in Atlanta.”
- SupportedWong said, “We want to see an end to the escalation, we want to see de-escalation, and we want to see negotiations, and for the conflict to be resolved and for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened.”The Age - Latest News: ““We want to see an end to the escalation, we want to see de-escalation, and we want to see negotiations – and for the conflict to be resolved and for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened.””
- SupportedRubio would not characterise the progress of Qatari-mediated talks or give them a timeframe, and said Trump preferred a diplomatic solution.The Age - Latest News: “Rubio would not characterise the progress of the Qatari-mediated talks, nor give them a timeframe, but said Trump’s preference was always to find a diplomatic solution.”
- SupportedRubio said Iran was blowing up ships carrying energy destined for countries represented at the G20.The Age - Latest News: ““Iran is blowing up ships … including ships that have energy that’s destined for countries represented at that [G20] table.””
- SupportedWong linked unrest to hardships from higher fuel, grocery and transport prices caused by the ongoing wars, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The Age - Latest News: “Wong argued there was a growing relationship between the large-scale unrest and hardships faced by ordinary people due to higher fuel, grocery and transport prices caused by the ongoing wars, but particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.”