London/New York: Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has praised Australia's decision to join the US-led mission to protect merchant ships in the Persian Gulf from Iranian aggression.

Senior figures on both sides of the Atlantic have welcomed the decision.

New British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. Credit:Bloomberg

Australia and Britain are the only two countries to join the maritime coalition so far, with Pakistan and South Korea among the nations weighing up whether to participate.

Australia joined after being urged by both the US and Britain.