Canberra: While acknowledging the fact that three personnel of the Royal Australian Navy were on the US submarine that sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena earlier this week, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese maintained that they did not take part in the mission.
The nation’s military staff did not “participate in any offensive action” against Tehran, the PM said, as reported by ABC News.
The Iranian frigate was sunk by a US fast-attack submarine in waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. According to ABC News, Sri Lankan officials stated on Thursday that 87 bodies have been retrieved from the site, while 32 individuals have been rescued, ANI reported.
Washington has not officially named the vessel involved but military analysts suggest it was the USS Minnesota. Other reports said that it could be the USS Charlotte.
The USS Minnesota had previously rotated through HMAS Stirling near Perth, it was reported.
Numerous Australian personnel have been embedded in US fast-attack submarine crews based in Pearl Harbour to gain experience before Australia receives its own nuclear-powered fleet, as part of the AUKUS pact.
Australia was initially hesitant to validate claims regarding the presence of its citizens on the attacking vessel. However, Albanese confirmed to Sky News that three Australians were indeed present.
“We wouldn’t normally confirm such an issue, but given our [National Security Committee] meetings and the public interest, I can confirm that there were three Australian personnel on board that vessel,” he stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted that strict protocols are in effect to prevent Australian staff from engaging in such combat roles, ABC News reported.
“I can confirm also, though, that no Australian personnel have participated in any offensive action against Iran,” he said.
“These are long-standing third-country arrangements that have been in place for a long period of time, and what they do is ensure that Australian defence force personnel, where they are embedded in third countries’ defence assets, they act in accordance with Australian law, Australian policy, and that is, of course, taking place across the board,” the Australian PM added.
More than 50 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members were serving on American fast-attack submarines, with figures expected to rise, defence officials had previously informed parliamentary hearings, ABC News reported.
It has been noted that approximately one in ten crew members on active US nuclear-powered attack submarines are currently Australian. Civilian staff are also undergoing training in nuclear submarine maintenance to support Australia’s future domestic capabilities.
Meanwhile, another Iranian warship – the replenishment vessel IRINS Bushehr – has reached Sri Lanka. The vessel has been moved to Trincomalee, while 208 crew members were transported to a naval facility near Colombo.
