Arabic version: رئيس وزراء كندا كارني يتحدث عن احتمال المشاركة العسكرية في الصراع الإيراني

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that he cannot rule out military involvement in the escalating war in the Middle East. This remark came after he described the recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran as ‘inconsistent with international law.’ Speaking alongside Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Thursday, Carney responded to a question about Canada’s potential participation, saying, ‘One can never categorically rule out participation.’ According to Al Jazeera, he emphasized the hypothetical nature of the question while affirming Canada’s commitment to support its allies and defend its citizens.

Carney expressed regret over the strikes on Iran, characterizing them as a severe indication of a rupturing world order. He clarified that Canada was not informed beforehand about the US-Israeli actions and was not asked to participate. He condemned the strikes on civilians and called for adherence to international engagement rules, stating that the legality of the attacks is a matter for others to determine.

In related developments, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced that the government is working to assist over 2,000 Canadians seeking to leave the Middle East since the conflict escalated. Many inquiries for help have come from Canadians in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Lebanon, Israel, and Iran. Anand noted that the government is preparing to arrange charter flights, pending approval from the UAE to use its airspace.

The ongoing conflict has led to significant travel disruptions in the region, with major airports, including Dubai, largely closed. Repatriation flights organized by other countries, such as Britain and France, have begun to operate. Under normal circumstances, the region would see thousands of commercial flights daily, but the current situation marks the largest disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic.