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Tag: Middle East conflict Canada

  • PM Carney Says Canada’s Support for U.S. Strikes on Iran Comes “With Regret”

    PM Carney Says Canada’s Support for U.S. Strikes on Iran Comes “With Regret”

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed Canada’s backing of U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran—but said that support is expressed “with regret” given concerns about the international rules-based order and the legal implications of the attacks. Carney made the comments while speaking to reporters during an overseas visit, underscoring Ottawa’s complex stance amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

    Carney stated that Canada supports measures aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and curbing its influence through state-sponsored terrorism, which Ottawa views as long-standing threats to global peace and security. However, he emphasized that the strikes by the United States and Israel were carried out without prior consultation with Canada or formal engagement with the United Nations, a point he said raised questions about adherence to international law.

    “We take this position with regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order,” Carney said, adding that Canada was not informed in advance of the military action and did not participate in planning or execution. The prime minister reiterated that while Canada shares concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, it also expects all parties to respect the rules governing international engagement.

    Carney further called for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities and urged renewed diplomatic engagement, stressing that civilian protection and a broader political solution are essential to preventing a wider and deeper conflict. Canadian officials have stopped short of declaring the strikes illegal, instead deferring to international legal analysis while urging respect for international law by all sides.

    The prime minister’s remarks reflect internal debates within Canada and among allies over the legal and diplomatic ramifications of the strikes, particularly as the conflict continues to draw in regional actors and heighten global security concerns.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Canada Urges Diplomatic Solution in Iran Crisis, Won’t Say If It Views Strikes as Illegal

    Canada Urges Diplomatic Solution in Iran Crisis, Won’t Say If It Views Strikes as Illegal

    The government of Canada has stepped forward with a call for diplomacy amid the escalating conflict between Iran and forces led by the United States and Israel, urging all sides to return to talks even as it stops short of officially defining recent military strikes as unlawful. Canadian officials emphasized the need for a negotiated end to hostilities in statements delivered this week.

    Canada’s foreign affairs leadership, speaking on behalf of the government, said Ottawa “prefers a diplomatic solution” and has been actively engaging with counterparts in the Middle East and the Gulf to stress the importance of dialogue rather than continued military escalation. The minister responsible for foreign affairs reiterated that Canada wants to see all parties at the negotiating table to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis, reflecting broader concerns about regional stability and global security.

    However, when asked whether Canada views the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets as illegal or a violation of international law, officials declined to take a clear legal position. While Canada supports allied efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and regards the Iranian regime as a destabilizing force in the Middle East, its statements have focused more on the urgency of diplomacy than on legal classifications of the military actions.

    The conflict has triggered a range of international reactions, with some countries calling for immediate de-escalation and others condemning various actions taken by or against Iran. While Canada has maintained ties with allies and stressed shared objectives around non-proliferation, Ottawa’s insistence on a diplomatic pathway underscores the complexity of navigating international law, national security, and geopolitical pressures in a rapidly evolving crisis.

    Swifteradio.com