Australia will lend support to a U.S.-led initiative to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Aug. 20, The Japan Times reported. However, However, Australia will officially operate under its own Operation Manitou, not the U.S.-led initiative to secure the strategic waterway. An Australian frigate will reportedly arrive in the area in January 2020 ahead of a monthlong aircraft deployment in late 2019.