Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Canada’s initial position supporting Washington’s war on Iran shifted over the subsequent days aqs US President Donald Trump’s objectives became clearer, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said.
The Canadian Press reports that Carney said in a Friday interview that: “The scale of what the objectives were, or the clarity about what the objectives were, were not there at the start and have arguably evolved over time.”
Carney had expressed unequivocal support for the war when it started on February 28. However, a few days later, he expressed regret that Washington did not consult the United Nations on a conflict that he said likely violates international law.
This prompted widespread criticism from multiple quarters. Some of Iran’s opponents argued that Carney had watered down a principled stance, while some advocates for international law said Carney was contradicting his speech at Davos rejecting hegemonic behaviour by great powers.
Ottawa has long held the view that Iran is “the largest exporter of terror, state-sponsored terror, in the world. It’s murdered hundreds of Canadians,” Carney said. He added the Iranian regime is already causing suffering around the world and must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
While Canada has stayed out of the conflict so far, the prime minister has said Ottawa might send support to restore shipping access in the Strait of Hormuz if there is a functional ceasefire. Carney’s government is seeking investment from Gulf countries.
