“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued an official statement following the start of U.S. military action in Iran:
“The Canadian government is closely following Iran-related hostilities throughout the Middle East and urges all Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions.
Canada’s position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.
Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations’ reimposition of sanctions in September.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran’s oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime’s repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people.
Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.
The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region.”
Speaking in India, Carney further addressed the conflict in the Middle East:
Speaking to reporters, Carney said Canada would not be involved: “We have not been party to the military build up to this, or the military planning of this. So, it is not envisioned that we would be part of it moving forward.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also issued a statement expressing support for the U.S. & Israeli strikes on the Iranian regime:
“The regime in Tehran is the principal source of terror in the Middle East and around the world. It tried to build nuclear weapons to annihilate our allies. It massacred tens of thousands of its own people. It orchestrated the attacks of October 7, 2023, murdered Canadian passengers on Flight PS752, sought to kill prominent Canadian leaders, and ruthlessly targets Canadians of Jewish and Iranian descent. It has shown no good faith in negotiations to change course.
That is why Conservatives support the courageous people of Iran in toppling this terror regime and reclaiming their destiny after 47 years of the regime’s occupation. Conservatives support a democratic, free and permanently-denuclearized Iran that lives in peace and security with its neighbours. And Conservatives support the United States, Israel, and our allies across the Gulf to defend their sovereignty and dismantle the clerical military dictatorship of Iran.”
Consistent with Davos?
While some have claimed that Carney’s support for U.S. strikes on Iran is inconsistent with his Davos speech, the reality is more nuanced, and there is a consistent through-line. Carney’s Davos speech was largely about the fact that middle powers like Canada need to focus on working together with allies to maximize their power to avoid being dominated by the world’s superpowers. A related theme is that appeals to international law are meaningless when those appeals are ignored by those who have power. Thus, countries must act in their best interests and – as the Prime Minister noted – deal with the world as it is, rather than as we wish it to be. In that context, it is logical for Canada to align itself to stop Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, given that this has long been the position of the Canadian government.
Spencer Fernando
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