An Australian warship heading to the Middle East could be diverted to deal with pirates and drug runners if the situation in the Strait of Hormuz becomes too volatile.
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The HMAS Toowoomba set sail for the region on Monday to defend oil tankers from Iranian attacks against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the US and Iran.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the ship could be re-tasked once it arrives.
"Given the volatility and the history of the Middle East it is a brave person who would predict exactly what will happen in two to three weeks," Senator Reynolds told reporters in Perth.
"When she arrives we will assess the situation and she will be tasked accordingly.
"It could be freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, it could be counter-piracy, it could be counter-drug running, it could be counter-terrorism. She is well trained for all of those missions."
Senator Reynolds said the importance of the deployment "cannot be overstated".
"A large part of our oil flows through the strait so it's important not just for Australia but also for the globe that the Strait of Hormuz is peaceful and there is freedom of navigation for all commercial vessels," she said.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the safety of those aboard the warship was a high priority.
"Australia is very focused on ensuring the safety and security of the men and women who represent us internationally ... the deployment of HMAS Toowoomba is no exception to that," she told reporters.
"We will be ensuring that they are carefully monitored, that they work very closely with the leadership of the defence force, with the defence minister and of course the prime minister as we monitor that situation."
The federal opposition supports the deployment, just as it did when Australia sent a surveillance plane and handful of troops to the Middle East late last year.
But Labor will not support sending any more resources to the Persian Gulf.
"I have been really concerned about what has been happening there and I've called upon all countries, the United States and Iran, to be restrained in their response," Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told Triple M radio Hobart.
"Fortunately, the temperature has come down, but Australia does not have an interest in being involved in a military conflict there."
Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated in recent weeks after Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
Iran responded to the assassination by launching missiles at several US-led military bases in Iraq.
Australian Associated Press