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Carney calls for immediate de-escalation in Iran
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged all parties involved in the escalating conflict with Iran to reduce hostilities without delay. Speaking in Sydney during his Indo-Pacific tour, Carney acknowledged Canada's support for military strikes against Iran but described the stance as one taken "with regret."
Canada's stance on Iran's nuclear threat
Carney reiterated Canada's long-standing position that Iran poses a "grave global threat," emphasizing the dangers of its nuclear ambitions. He stated that Iran's regime is "the biggest exporter of terror in the world" and has been responsible for the deaths of numerous Canadians.
"No legitimate civil nuclear program is buried a mile beneath the desert," Carney told reporters, underscoring concerns over Iran's nuclear activities.
Criticism of US and Israel's unilateral actions
While supporting the strikes, Carney criticized the United States and Israel for launching attacks without prior consultation with allies or engagement through the United Nations. "This conflict is another example of the failure of the international order," he said.
The strikes, which began on Saturday, prompted Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S.-allied Gulf states.
Diplomatic efforts with India amid strained relations
In Sydney, Carney also addressed his recent discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing them as "frank." The talks aimed to rebuild ties strained after Canada's previous government accused India of involvement in the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
A Canadian official suggested before the trip that India is no longer linked to violent threats on Canadian soil, though some Sikh community members dispute this assessment.
Ongoing legal and diplomatic developments
The case against four men charged in Nijjar's killing remains before courts in British Columbia. Meanwhile, Canada and India announced a series of agreements this week, including a "landmark" nuclear energy deal and collaborations on critical minerals, space, defense, and education.
Carney noted that high-level Canadian officials have maintained contact with Indian defense and national security counterparts since dialogue was re-established at the leadership level.
"To engage, you have to be able to talk to countries where there have been issues," Carney said. "We raise concerns at the highest levels to ensure cooperation on security risks, whether it's extortion or other cross-border criminal activities."
