Canberra, (UNI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday said Ottawa is not ruling out potential participation in the escalating Middle East conflict, even as he clarified that Canada is not currently involved in offensive military operations.
Speaking at a joint press conference here alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Carney said, “One can never categorically rule out participation,” stressing that governments must prepare for all contingencies in times of war.
Carney had earlier expressed regret over recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, describing the crisis as a reflection of the breakdown of the international order. However, he underscored that Canada is not taking part in the offensive actions carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv.
“We will always defend Canadians. We will always stand by and defend our allies when called upon,” he said, signalling Ottawa’s commitment to collective security arrangements while stopping short of announcing any direct involvement.
The latest hostilities began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, resulting in significant damage and civilian casualties.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East. The escalation unfolded despite Oman-brokered talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva aimed at addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Addressing questions on whether he should have more forcefully called for de-escalation earlier, Carney acknowledged the complexity of the situation. He noted that while the conflict has widened, including threats to Gulf infrastructure, there are no certainties in war.
“You have to plan for the worst, but there are no certainties in conflict,” he said, adding that regional actors, particularly members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, have shown restraint and are acting defensively.
Reaffirming Canada’s long-standing position, Carney said Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He accused Tehran of repeatedly violating international law, funding militant groups across the region, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, and repressing its own population.
“Let’s recognise the regime we’re talking about,” Carney said, alleging decades of domestic repression and the export of terrorism across the Middle East. He also referenced the 2020 tragedy in which Canadian citizens were killed, calling it a stark reminder of the stakes involved.
Describing the situation as “volatile” and “extremely complex,” Carney said Canada would continue to monitor developments closely while standing by its allies and prioritising the safety of its citizens.
