Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, raised alarm about his country’s potential involvement in the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, saying that Canada could not “categorically rule out participation” in the war. His comments, made in Canberra on Thursday, come as the conflict enters its sixth day, with mounting international concerns over its implications.
Carney also expressed support for the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, albeit “with some regret,” calling the actions “inconsistent with international law.” He stated that Canada had neither been briefed nor consulted by the US and Israel before the airstrikes on Iran, which have escalated tensions and left many casualties. The attacks, which resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several family members, have sparked retaliatory missile and drone strikes from Iran, targeting US and Israeli bases across the Middle East.
As a NATO member, Canada shares strong defense ties with the US, and Carney acknowledged that, in the event of further escalation, Canada may be called upon to support its ally. However, he stressed that any decision regarding participation in military action would be made with careful consideration of international norms and laws.
The remarks come amid growing concerns that the conflict could draw in more nations. Pakistan, which shares a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, warned Iran against targeting the Kingdom, as tensions flare in the Gulf. The conflict, which began with the US and Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear program, has already resulted in significant loss of life, with over 1,000 deaths reported.
Carney noted that despite decades of UN efforts, Iran’s nuclear program remains a critical issue, and the failure of international diplomacy in addressing it has led to the current crisis. He expressed regret over the ongoing conflict, which he sees as another example of the failure of the international order to manage escalating global tensions. As the war rages on, with missile attacks and military actions intensifying, the global community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
