Former US President Donald Trump has once again criticized Australia for its perceived lack of support in the Middle East, specifically mentioning the strait of Hormuz. During a press interaction, Trump expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the US had asked Australia to assist but received no response. In contrast, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles clarified that there has been no 'specific request' from the US regarding Hormuz. Marles emphasized that while Australia is ready to collaborate with its allies, the current circumstances do not warrant specific military requests. He noted that Australia is actively involved in defense operations in the Gulf, particularly in support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Furthermore, Australia has announced plans to increase its defense budget by $53 billion over the next decade, aiming to elevate defense spending from 2.03% of GDP to approximately 2.3-2.4% by 2033, in response to calls for greater military investment from allies like Trump.