MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - Australia is not getting involved with the United States in its pursuit of aims in relation to Iran, beyond a commitment to freedom of navigation in the region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after talks with US President Donald Trump.
"There was no discussion about anything else," Mr Morrison, who made a state visit to the White House last Friday (Sept 20), told journalists, according to a transcript.
"There was an appreciation of our involvement in that particular operation which was I remind everyone is about freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz. That's what that is about. The other matters that are being pursued by the United States are matters that they're pursuing."
Mr Trump last week approved sending US troops to bolster Saudi Arabia's air and missile defences after the largest-ever attack on the kingdom's oil facilities, which the United States has squarely blamed on Iran.
Tension between the United States and Iran has been rising since Mr Trump abandoned the Iranian nuclear agreement last year and the attack on the oil facilities has spurred concerns of an escalation into a new war.
The US president had signalled he would raise with Mr Morrison a possible military contribution in Iran, although later he said the topic had not been discussed.
In August, Australia joined the US-led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in support of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
"I made it very clear when we announced our involvement in that arrangement that it was very much about that freedom of navigation issue and that's what it is about and that's appreciated," Mr Morrison said.
He also praised Mr Trump for what he said was a restraint in relation to Iran.
"And it was good to have the opportunity to confirm that again in the course of our discussions," Mr Morrison said. "So I think that should provide some assurance. I mean Australia will make its decisions in our national interest.
Meanwhile, Australia said it will invest A$150 million (S$140 million) in its companies and technology to help Mr Trump's bid for a moon landing by 2024 and subsequent US missions to Mars.
Mr Morrison, visiting Nasa headquarters in Washington, said the five-year investment plan would help businesses support US automation systems, build equipment for space craft and play a role in mineral exploration.
"We're backing Australian businesses to the moon, and even Mars, and back," Mr Morrison said.
The announcement came after Mr Morrison made a state visit to the White House last Friday (Sept 20), with the red carpet rolled out, signalling Australia's strong ties with the United States after a period of tense relations with China.
The investment is part of a broader Australian plan to beef up its space sector, with Mr Morrison saying the government wants to triple the size of the sector to A$12 billion and create some 20,000 extra jobs by 2030.
Mr Trump, when asked at a joint news conference with Mr Morrison about the US space programme, said the focus was on Mars.
"We're stopping at the moon," he said, according to a transcript.
"The moon is actually a launching pad. That's why we're stopping at the moon. I said, 'Hey, we've already done the moon. That's not so exciting'. They said, 'No, sir, it's a launching pad for Mars'. So we'll be doing the moon but we'll really be doing Mars."
