Ottawa urges all sides to respect international law while preparing evacuation options for Canadians
Canada has condemned Iranian strikes on civilian targets and infrastructure while calling on all parties involved in the escalating Middle East conflict to respect international law and the “rules of international order.”
Speaking from Australia, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada supports efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons but emphasized that international law must guide the actions of every country involved in the conflict.
“Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents,” Carney said, while also criticizing the current crisis as another breakdown of the international system meant to prevent war.
Carney said Canada condemns Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and called on all sides — including the United States and Israel — to respect the rules governing armed conflict.
He also reiterated Canada’s long-standing position that Iran is a significant source of instability in the region.
“Canada has long seen Iran as the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East,” he said, adding that Iranian actions and those of its allied groups have resulted in civilian deaths, including Canadian victims in past incidents.
The fighting entered its fourth day Tuesday as airstrikes, drone attacks and missile launches spread across multiple countries in the region.
Iran and its allies launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targets across the Gulf, including a strike near the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and a drone incident near the U.S. Consulate in Dubai.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its joint operations with the United States have targeted more than 1,700 locations in Iran and disabled roughly 300 missile launchers since the campaign began.
The widening conflict has also reignited hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, where additional airstrikes and rocket fire have been reported.
As tensions escalate, Ottawa is prioritizing the safety of Canadians in the region. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the government has asked Oman to allow the use of its airspace if evacuations become necessary.
According to Global Affairs Canada, more than 97,000 Canadians have registered as being in the Middle East. Officials say contingency plans are being developed in case travel routes become restricted as the conflict spreads.
Elsewhere, international military deployments continue to grow. French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the country’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move toward the Mediterranean to support allied operations and protect regional assets.
The expanding violence has also pushed global oil prices sharply higher, raising concerns about broader economic fallout.
With missile attacks, airstrikes and proxy conflicts unfolding across several countries, diplomats warn the situation could develop into a prolonged regional confrontation unless a path toward de-escalation emerges.