Sydney — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed support for efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while emphasizing that Canada was neither consulted nor involved in recent U.S.–Israeli military actions and continues to call for de-escalation and adherence to international law.
Speaking during a visit to Australia, Carney said Canada supports the objective of ending Iran’s nuclear program and curbing what he described as decades of state-sponsored destabilizing activity. At the same time, he underscored that Ottawa had not been informed in advance of the strikes and is not a participant in the hostilities.
“We take the world as it is,” Carney said, reiterating a theme he has advanced in recent international speeches. “We support the efforts to end the Iranian nuclear program… but that is not a blank cheque. That is not us participating.”
The prime minister’s remarks reflect a calibrated position: alignment with allies on the perceived threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, combined with public acknowledgment of legal and diplomatic constraints.
Carney noted that Canada’s policy is to respect international law “always and everywhere,” and he said it is for the United States and Israel to articulate the legal justification for their actions. He added that, on its face, the strikes appear inconsistent with international law, though he declined to make a formal legal determination.
Canada has long regarded Iran’s nuclear activities and regional conduct as serious concerns. Successive governments have supported sanctions regimes and international monitoring efforts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Carney referenced what he described as repeated violations of international frameworks over decades, arguing that the persistence of the nuclear issue reflects shortcomings in the existing global system.
However, he also stressed that international law binds all parties to a conflict and that civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. “We call for a de-escalation,” he said, adding that Canada is prepared to assist in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
The prime minister’s comments come amid heightened international scrutiny following the strikes and subsequent regional responses. While several governments have expressed support for limiting nuclear proliferation, concerns have also been raised about escalation risks and the humanitarian impact on civilians.
Asked whether he had discussed Canada’s position with U.S. President Donald Trump, Carney said he had not spoken directly with the president and did not interpret that as significant. “We took a position not asking for something,” he said, emphasizing that Canada’s stance was based on its assessment of the threat rather than on a transactional exchange.
Carney rejected the characterization of Canada’s position as contradictory to his earlier statements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he highlighted the prohibition on the use of force as a core principle of Canadian foreign policy. In Sydney, he said that Canada’s intention remains to respect international law, but that governments must respond to the realities of the international environment as it exists.
He also reiterated that Canada was not consulted before the military action and therefore did not have an opportunity to evaluate participation under its own legal standards. “We weren’t asked to participate,” he said.
Beyond the Middle East, Carney’s visit to Australia is part of a broader diplomatic tour that includes India and Japan, aimed at strengthening economic and strategic partnerships among middle powers. In Sydney and Canberra, discussions are expected to focus on investment, critical minerals, defense cooperation, and artificial intelligence.
The Middle East developments have nonetheless shaped the context of the visit. Australia, like Canada, has expressed concern about Iran’s nuclear program while also emphasizing the importance of regional stability and civilian protection.
Carney framed Canada’s broader approach as one of “vigilance and engagement,” a phrase he also used in response to questions about foreign interference concerns involving India. He said Ottawa is tightening legal frameworks, increasing law enforcement resources, and maintaining high-level dialogue with partner governments to address security issues.
On Iran specifically, Carney said Canada supports the Iranian people’s aspirations for a government that reflects their will, but he declined to speculate on potential political outcomes following recent developments.
Throughout the press conference, the prime minister returned to the theme that Canada is responding to events as they unfold rather than shaping the conflict’s objectives. He declined to characterize the military action as either a war of necessity or a war of choice, stating instead that Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon would constitute a significant threat.
Analysts say Canada’s position reflects the balancing act facing many middle powers: aligning with key allies on non-proliferation while avoiding direct involvement and preserving diplomatic flexibility.
As tensions continue to evolve, Ottawa’s emphasis on de-escalation and international legal standards suggests that Canada will seek to play a supportive, but not leading, role in any broader diplomatic effort.
The coming days are likely to test how effectively governments can combine deterrence objectives with calls for restraint. For Canada, the message from Sydney was clear: support for limiting nuclear proliferation, paired with a renewed appeal for diplomacy and civilian protection.
