'God bless Australia!' Trump's praise after late-night call with Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had a middle-of-the-night call with Donald Trump after the US president called on Australia to help the Iranian footballers who had escaped their handlers on the Gold Coast.
In an unusual moment of foreign diplomacy, Albanese had the call with Trump sometime between 1am and 3am today (AEDT), based on Trump's Truth Social posts.
It's not known who set up the phone call or how long the leaders spoke for – but the result was praise from Trump.
READ MORE: 'This is amazing': Five Iranian footballers escape handlers, seek asylum in Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had the call with Trump at some time between 1am and 3am. Alex Ellinghausen
It's not known who set up the phone call or how long the leaders spoke for – but the result was praise from Trump. AP
It began after events earlier on Monday night when five of the Iranian women footballers holed up at a Gold Coast hotel managed to escape their handlers.
With the five women in the protection of police and seeking asylum, Trump took to Truth Social to say Australia had to act.
"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman's Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed," Trump wrote in the post just after 1am (AEDT).
"Don't do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM.
"The U.S. will take them if you won't. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
READ MORE: Aussie mum fighting for life after 'devastating' Bali truck crash
The footballers fear persecution if they return home after being labelled traitors for not singing the national anthem at the Asian Cup in Queensland. Getty
The footballers fear persecution if they return home after being labelled traitors for not singing the national anthem at the Asian Cup in Queensland.
Whilst only five of the team's players had been able to escape, it was hoped more would join them, Iranian Society of Queensland vice president Hadi Karimi told 9news.com.au.
Australian authorities have resisted any strong commentary on the issue, including responding to requests from this website close to midnight asking for any comment on the developments on the Gold Coast.
But at some point during the night the prime minister decided it was necessary to speak with Trump.
Supporters run alongside the bus carrying the Iranian team on Sunday night. Nine
"I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women's Soccer Team. He's on it!" Trump said as he returned to Truth Social just before 3am (AEDT).
"Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.
"Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return.
"In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation.
"God bless Australia!"
Iran fans during the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia match at Gold Coast Stadium on Sunday. Getty
There was no immediate response from Albanese.
Albanese, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Australian Federal Police have been contacted for comment.
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