OTTAWA — In a swift show of solidarity amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Saturday that Canada supports the United States and Israel's major assault on Iran, aimed at curbing the country's nuclear ambitions. Speaking from Mumbai, India, where he was attending a trade mission, Carney emphasized the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while urging Canadians in the region to take shelter.
The attacks, which unfolded early Saturday, mark a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Iran and its adversaries. According to reports from the National Post, the U.S. and Israeli forces targeted key Iranian facilities believed to be central to its nuclear program. President Donald Trump, in a video posted to social media that morning, framed the strikes as a necessary step to enforce long-held U.S. policy against Iran's nuclear development.
"It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again: they can never have a nuclear weapon," Trump declared in the video, standing at a lectern with an American flag backdrop and wearing a cap emblazoned with "USA." The president went further, urging Iranians to seize the moment for regime change. "When we are finished, take over your government. It’s yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," he said, in remarks that drew immediate international attention.
Carney, addressing reporters before a scheduled speech on Canada-India business relations in Mumbai, echoed the U.S. stance but stopped short of endorsing regime change. "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, and the Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict," the prime minister stated. He described the situation as a "serious escalation" during a question-and-answer session following his speech, adding that its consequences "will be determined by whether Iran de-escalates."
The Canadian government's official statement reinforced this position, noting that Iran has failed to dismantle its nuclear program or halt uranium enrichment activities despite years of diplomatic efforts. It also accused Tehran of continuing to back "regional terrorist proxy groups," a reference to militias in places like Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria that have clashed with U.S. and Israeli interests. The statement advised Canadians in the Middle East to "follow local advice and take all necessary precautions," with specific guidance for those in Iran to shelter in place.
Carney made clear that Canada had no involvement in the military planning or execution of the strikes. "Canada wasn’t party to the military build-up and doesn’t envision any combat role for Canadian forces," he said. This aligns with Ottawa's historical approach to Middle East conflicts, where it has often provided diplomatic and logistical support to allies without direct troop commitments, as seen in past operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Domestic political reactions in Canada were swift and largely aligned with the government's position. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in a social media post, voiced strong support for the Iranian people. "His party supports the courageous people of Iran in toppling this terror regime," Poilievre wrote, directly echoing Trump's call for an uprising but framing it through a lens of solidarity with dissidents inside Iran.
Internationally, responses varied. The United Kingdom confirmed it had no role in the attacks, according to Reuters, distancing itself from the operation while monitoring developments closely. France, meanwhile, issued a stern warning, stating the strikes could have "serious consequences" for international peace and security. French officials called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the fallout, highlighting concerns over potential retaliation from Iran or its allies.
Experts tracking the region offered measured analysis of the allies' reactions. Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, suggested that U.S. partners like Canada are navigating a delicate balance. "All of them will take positions primarily based on the management of their difficult relations with Trump — much more than based on Iran. This is the calculus that matters," Juneau wrote on social media Saturday morning. His comments underscore the broader geopolitical strains, including trade disputes between Canada and the U.S. under the Trump administration, which have strained bilateral ties despite shared security interests.
The backdrop to these events is decades of friction over Iran's nuclear program. Tensions spiked after the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under Trump in 2018, which had curbed Iran's enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has accelerated its nuclear work, enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, according to International Atomic Energy Agency reports. The strikes come amid reports of Iranian missile tests and proxy attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, heightening fears of a wider conflict.
In Mumbai, Carney also touched on humanitarian aspects, stating that "Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against this oppressive regime and we reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself." This dual messaging — supporting the strikes while advocating for civilians — reflects Canada's multilateral approach, often emphasizing human rights alongside security concerns. The prime minister's trade mission to India, focused on strengthening economic ties, provided an unexpected platform for these remarks, drawing media attention away from business discussions.
As the dust settles from the initial assaults, questions linger about Iran's response. Tehran has vowed retaliation in the past against perceived aggressions, including cyberattacks and proxy strikes. The Canadian government said it is "closely following the hostilities," with Global Affairs Canada issuing travel advisories for the region. Canadians in Iran, estimated at a few hundred including dual nationals and business travelers, have been urged to limit movements and register with consular services.
The implications of the attacks extend beyond the immediate military theater. Oil prices surged more than 5 percent on global markets Saturday following news of the strikes, reflecting fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes. Analysts warn that escalation could draw in other powers, including Russia and China, which have deepened ties with Iran in recent years through arms deals and economic partnerships.
Looking ahead, diplomatic channels may offer a path to de-escalation, though prospects appear dim. Carney's hope for Iranian restraint echoes calls from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who earlier this week urged all parties to return to negotiations. Yet with Trump's explicit push for regime change, the window for talks seems narrower than ever. Canada, as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council until 2024 but influential in G7 discussions, could play a mediating role, though officials have not indicated any such plans.
For now, the focus remains on protecting civilians and monitoring for reprisals. As one of the few Western leaders to publicly back the operation, Carney's statements position Canada firmly in the U.S.-Israel camp, even as it prioritizes the safety of its citizens abroad. The coming days will reveal whether this support translates into broader involvement or remains at the rhetorical level.