Prime Minister Carney calls for calm and diplomacy after U.S. airstrikes on Iran escalate tensions in the Middle East, urging parties to return to talks.
Canada Responds to Growing Middle East Crisis
Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued an urgent call for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday. In a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Carney emphasized that while Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a global threat, a diplomatic solution is the only viable path forward.
A Volatile Backdrop Fuels Urgency
The U.S. launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, following President Donald Trump’s warning of possible intervention in the escalating conflict between Israel and Tehran. The strikes mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, prompting immediate international reactions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that “the time for diplomacy is over,” calling the strikes a “red line” and vowing retaliation. Meanwhile, fears of broader conflict are mounting across the Gulf and beyond.
Ottawa Calls for Immediate Talks
Carney reiterated Canada’s longstanding position that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Still, he stressed that “stability in the region is a priority,” and reaffirmed support for G7-endorsed efforts to resolve the Iranian crisis through diplomacy, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed Carney’s call, urging Canadians in the region to register with Global Affairs Canada for safety updates. She underscored Canada’s commitment to protecting civilians and pushing for peaceful resolution.
Allies and Rivals React
Canada’s response aligns with that of other U.S. allies, including the U.K., France, and Germany, all of whom called for Iran to reengage in talks following the failed Geneva negotiations last week. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Iran’s nuclear program as a “grave threat” but insisted diplomacy remains the only path to stability.
Conversely, Russia and Iraq sharply condemned the U.S. strikes. Russian officials accused Washington of violating international law and warned the attacks would not deter Iran’s nuclear pursuits. Iraq warned the military escalation threatened peace across the entire region.
Religious and Global Voices Join Chorus
Global institutions also weighed in. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres expressed deep alarm, warning of the “catastrophic consequences” of unchecked conflict. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy,” he said in a statement.
Pope Leo XIV, during his Sunday Angelus address at the Vatican, made a powerful plea for peace. Describing the events as “alarming,” the pontiff called on world leaders to fulfill their moral duty to stop war before it spirals into irreparable tragedy.
What Comes Next?
While the extent of damage from the U.S. strikes is still being assessed, the geopolitical fallout is already unfolding. Carney and Anand confirmed they are receiving regular briefings and have mobilized resources to support Canadians abroad.
With diplomatic channels strained and military tensions high, the international community is now watching closely to see whether Tehran retaliates—or whether world powers can pull the crisis back from the brink through renewed negotiations. For Canada, the priority remains clear: a return to diplomacy before it’s too late.
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