Australia has been requested by the United States Navy to send a warship to the Red Sea as part of an expanded multi-national force.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, speaking on Today this morning, confirmed the federal government had received the request.
It comes amid a series attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea over past weeks as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.
Chalmers said the Royal Australian Navy has long maintained a presence in the Middle East as part of international efforts to maintain maritime security.
“That is a difficult part of the world. There is a lot of commercial shipping in addition to military shipping in that region,” he said.
“We already make a contribution to the combined management of that part of the world.”
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Defence Minister Richard Marles was considering the US request, he said.
A campaign by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has been targeting ships close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, since Hamas launched its attacks on Israel on October 7.
The Houthis have carried out a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and launched drones and missiles targeting Israel.
In recent days, they have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel.
The Australian Defence Department has been contacted for comment by 9news.com.au.
