A government minister?said?Monday that Australia would not send naval vessels to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"We will not be sending a vessel to the Strait of Hormuz." Catherine King, who is a cabinet member for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, told state broadcaster ABC that she was aware of how important this issue is. However, the government has not asked her to do so or requested that she contribute.

* A fifth of 'global oil' and 'liquefied gas' normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This has been shut down for several weeks now since the U.S./Israeli war on Iran began in February.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump Administration 'plans' to announce by?this week that a coalition of countries has been formed to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Australia has provided aircraft for the United Arab Emirates to help with their defence after the country made a request. (Reporting from Alasdair pal in Sydney; editing by Himani Sarkar).

(source: Reuters)