The Canadian stance on the war in Iran has evolved, says Mark Carney.

OTTAWA – The initial support from Canada for the United States’ war against Iran has evolved since the beginning of the conflict, as President Donald Trump’s objectives became clearer, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated.

In an interview with La Presse Canadienne, the Prime Minister noted that the extent of American objectives was not known at the start. It likely evolved over time.

While the Prime Minister had expressed unequivocal support in February for the war Mr. Trump had initiated against Israel’s enemies, a few days later he regretted that Washington had not consulted the United Nations about a conflict which, in his view, likely violates international law.

This reversal has sparked numerous criticisms. Critics of Iran argue that Mr. Carney softened a principled position, while defenders of international law lament that he broke his commitment to reject coercion by superpowers.

In an interview on Friday, Mr. Carney explained that Mr. Trump’s objectives in this war only became clear after several days of conflict and that these objectives evolved over time.

He clarified that his initial comment was made a few hours after the start of the war and that Canada has long been opposed to the Iranian regime for its support of terrorism abroad, the killing of Canadians, and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Carney emphasized that while Canada supports the fight against these actions, he is concerned about how these objectives are being pursued and questions whether the countries involved are respecting international law.

While Canada has remained outside of the conflict so far, the Prime Minister stated that Ottawa could send reinforcements to restore maritime access in the Strait of Hormuz if a functional ceasefire were in place. Carney’s government is seeking to attract investments from Gulf countries.

Mr. Carney is set to travel to Armenia this weekend for the European Political Community Summit, which primarily focuses on how countries from Iceland to Azerbaijan coordinate their actions on policy, security, and infrastructure following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

He explains that “one of the reasons” he is participating in the summit as the only non-European leader is to discuss with other heads of government who want to provide assistance once a lasting ceasefire is established.

Mr. Carney adds that despite Washington’s claims that the conflict has been paused, there is no true ceasefire.