Anthony Albanese labels US President Donald Trump’s ‘whole civilisation will die’ comments inappropriate

Anthony Albanese has labelled US President Donald Trump’s warning to Iran that a “whole civilisation will die” if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened as inappropriate and “extraordinary” statements by a world leader.

The Prime Minister expressed his strongest criticism of Mr Trump’s actions to date when welcoming a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran — which is subject to the Islamic Republic reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the President of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern,” Mr Albanese told Sky on Wednesday.

“The potential of damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran was an extraordinary statement to make.

“We’ve said very clearly that the conduct of any conflict must be within international law, and that provides for making sure that civilians who aren’t parties to the conflict are given every protection possible.”

When asked if Mr Trump’s language constituted a “war crime”, Mr Albanese said: “It’s a long step between a tweet and that suggestion”.

“What we have called for is a de-escalation, and that is what has occurred, and that’s a good thing,” he added.

The President’s comments, which were posted to his Truth Social platform just an hour before his ultimatum deadline, have been condemned globally.

Among those calling for an end to the conflict had been Pope Leo XIV who criticised Mr Trump’s threats that Iran’s “civilisation will die” if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed as “unacceptable”.

Mr Albanese’s public rebuke of Australia’s closest ally comes after he and his frontbenchers have repeatedly stated they wouldn’t provide a running commentary of Mr Trump’s remarks.

Despite his objection to the rhetoric out of Washington, Mr Albanese said Australia’s alliance with the United States remained strong.

“The United States is our most important ally. They remain our most important ally,” he said.

“The relationship between our two nations is a relationship on many levels between leaders. I’ve had a constructive relationship with President Trump.

“But it’s also between our armed forces, between our economies and between business people, and people-to-people links as well.

“We are two great democracies, and that will continue into the future.”

It comes after the US President publicly criticised Australia’s lack of support in Iran and for his pursuit to reopen the Strait of Hormuz three times since the first US-Israel strikes on February 28.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor was careful with his language when asked about Mr Trump’s comments during a press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“Look, they’re not the words I would use,” Mr Taylor said.

“The outcome is what I want to see. That we have an opening up in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have oil and refined products moving through, coming to Australia, putting downward pressure on prices at the bowser here in this country.”

“We absolutely welcome the ceasefire. We want to see it hold, and we want to see ships moving again.”

Nationals leader Matt Canavan was stronger in his language when asked about Mr Trump’s threat during his National Press Club address on Wednesday.

“I think we’ve got to call the spade a spade at times like these — and the post from the President overnight was . . . way too far and beyond the realms of acceptability,” Mr Canavan said.

Mr Albanese had also issued a joint-statement with his Foreign Minister Penny Wong after the ceasefire deal was announced.

In the statement they reiterated calls for all parties to “uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilian life”.

“We have been clear the longer the war goes on, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be, and the greater the human cost,” they penned.

“We thank and support the work of negotiators, including Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, in advancing de-escalation efforts.”

Senator Wong had held separate talk with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan over night.

Among discussed de-escalation efforts, Ms Wong said they also discussed helping Australian expats leave the region, condemned Iran attacking other nations in the region and entering Türkiye’s airspace and the ongoing impact it was having on the global economy.

The two-week provisional ceasefire was reached after Pakistan acted as the primary intermediary to submit Iran’s 10-point peace plan to the White House.

Mr Trump told reporters it was a “total and complete victory” while Iranian State media outlet IRIN claimed the President had made a “humiliating retreat from anti-Iran rhetoric”.