Anthony Albanese denies Donald Trump's claims Australia not doing enough in war

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has batted away claims by President Donald Trump that Australia should be getting more involved in the Middle East conflict, saying the US ally has “done what we have been asked to do”.

Mr Trump, angry that allies have not taken a bigger role in the conflict, fired a salvo at Australia saying he had expected the land down under to get more involved in the conflict.

“Well, they should get involved, and I was a little surprised they said no, because we always say yes to them,” Mr Trump said when asked by media at the White House what he expected from Australia.

When asked on Saturday what he thought about Mr Trump’s sledge, Mr Albanese said Australia had provided support that “was asked for”.

“The truth is that we have said yes to the request of the UAE for the E-7 Wedgetail Aircraft,” Mr Albanese said at a press conference in Melbourne.

“That’s operating there with personnel operating as well.

“In addition to that, we’ve sent MRAAMs.

“That’s making a difference as well to intercept missiles or drones aimed at the UAE. So, we continue to provide the support that we have been asked to provide.”

Asked if Australia would provide further support if asked by Mr Trump, Mr Albanese said: “Well, he hasn’t asked, so I’m not going to go through hypotheticals. We have done what we have asked been asked to do”.

He then added: “We have done what we have been asked to do.

“There are comments at various times, I’ve said very early on, I don’t intend to comment on all of what someone else says, and I stand by that.

“We’ve signed up to the statement that’s been issued, has been coordinated by the United Kingdom that speaks about the work that we’re doing to ensure the Straits of Hormuz are open. That’s critical.”

A positive relationship with Mr Trump remains critical for Mr Albanese who is sinking billions of dollars into making sure AUKUS happens.

Mr Albanese has sunk $20 billion into making sure WA’s HMAS Stirling and the Henderson precinct are ready to become key components of AUKUS by maintaining nuclear submarines and being part of rotations through Garden Island.

“I had a very positive conversation with President Trump, one on one, on the phone just a little over a week ago. We continue to engage constructively with our American friends,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese called upon the “Iranian regime to stop its attacks”.

“Whether it be on the economic foundations of global trade, or whether it be on the 12 neighbours that it has attacked, unprovoked, whatsoever, not participants in the war, but have been attacked by Iran.,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s difficult to see what their strategy is, except for alienating the Iranian regime from all of its neighbours.

Mr Albanese’s deputy, Defence Minister Richard Marles refused to buy in on Mr Trump calling NATO allies “cowards” over a refusal to commit forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

“The last thing you’ll get from me is a running commentary on what the president has said,” Mr Marles said on Saturday at a separate press conference.

Mr Marles said said Australia was already deeply engaged in the defence of Gulf states.