Canada Rules Out Offensive Role in Iran War but Leaves Door Open to Assistance
Canada’s defence minister says the country is prepared to assist partners in the Middle East if necessary, but will not take part in offensive military operations in the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Speaking to reporters Monday, David McGuinty said Canada is “leaving the door open” to helping neighbouring countries affected by the crisis but emphasized that the country will not participate directly in combat operations.
“I want to be very clear: we’re not going to be engaging offensively in this war,” McGuinty said.
The conflict escalated late last month after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran targeting senior leadership figures. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases, embassies and several Gulf states, while also blocking the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway is one of the most critical shipping routes in the world, with roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil passing through it, according to the International Energy Agency. The disruption has driven energy prices higher, with Brent crude hovering around $100 per barrel, its highest level since 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently called on multiple countries to send warships to the region to help keep the strait open. However, McGuinty said Canada has not received a formal request to join such an operation.
“We’re not quite sure what the overture was or is not,” he said, adding that Canada was not consulted before the conflict began.
He said Ottawa would continue consulting with partners in NATO but stressed that Canada currently has no plans to send forces into offensive operations tied to the war.
“There has been no formal ask with Canada with respect to playing a deliberate offensive role in the prosecution of this war,” McGuinty said.
The comments come as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to the United Kingdom. According to the British government, both leaders discussed the Middle East crisis and emphasized the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining regional stability.
For now, Canadian officials say they are closely monitoring the situation and will continue coordinating with allies as the conflict evolves.
