The Canadian Prime Minister called for a rapid de‑escalation after US‑Israeli strikes on Iran and urged all parties to uphold international law. He said Canada is prepared to help reduce hostilities and expressed regret that prior diplomatic efforts to disarm Iran failed. The strikes triggered wider regional retaliation by Iran and prompted Hezbollah attacks on Israel, raising fears of a broader conflict. The prime minister made the remarks while on an official visit to Australia to strengthen ties and attract investment.
Canada Urges Rapid De‑escalation After US‑Israeli Strikes, Calls For Respect Of International Law
Carney said the war in the Middle East represented "another example of the failure of the international order" (Saeed KHAN)(Saeed KHAN/AFP/AFP)
Speaking in Sydney, the Canadian Prime Minister urged a swift de‑escalation of the fighting that followed US‑Israeli strikes on Iran and called on all parties to respect international law and rules of engagement.
“Canada calls for a rapid de‑escalation of hostilities and is prepared to assist in achieving this goal,” the prime minister said, adding that international law binds all belligerents.
According to statements from the United States and Israel, an attack over the weekend struck targets in Iran and, they said, killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. and Israeli officials’ claims about the strike and the death have not been independently verified and remain politically explosive.
Since those strikes, Iran has reportedly expanded retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region. Officials said a US consulate and a military base were struck on Tuesday amid further exchanges of strikes and counterstrikes. The conflict has also drawn in Hezbollah, which fired drones and rockets at Israel in apparent retaliation, escalating tensions in Lebanon.
The Canadian leader said he regretted that international diplomatic efforts to disarm Iran had failed, while also expressing concern that the United States and Israel acted without formally engaging the United Nations or consulting some allies, including Canada.
The remarks were made during an official visit to Australia intended to attract investment and deepen ties with a fellow middle‑power. During the trip the prime minister is due to address the Lowy Institute, meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and speak to Australia’s parliament in Canberra.
Context
Analysts warn the rapid escalation risks drawing multiple regional actors deeper into conflict and undermining existing diplomatic channels. Canada’s call for restraint and adherence to international law reflects broader concern among middle powers about stability and the breakdown of multilateral mechanisms.
Note: This article corrects and clarifies elements reported in the original dispatch. Some claims cited in official statements (such as the reported death of Iran’s supreme leader) remain unverified at the time of publication and are presented here as reported by U.S. and Israeli authorities.
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