Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized on Sunday the importance of stability and a diplomatic solution in the Middle East.PATRICK DOYLE/The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney called for diplomatic talks to resume immediately and for a de-escalation of hostilities, after the U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites in a major military operation.
While noting “the grave threat” posed by Tehran’s nuclear program, Mr. Carney warned that “the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile.”
“Stability in the region is a priority,” he said Sunday in a post on X. “Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end the crisis.”
At a press conference on Sunday, Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said its attack on Iranian nuclear facilities Saturday was the largest B2 stealth bomber strike in history, and it was met with no Iranian resistance.
But Lt. Gen. Caine warned: “Our forces remain on high alert, and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice. We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.”
U.S. military officials say they are not pursuing war with Iran after striking key nuclear sites
Mr. Carney referred in his post to an agreement made at last week’s G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., that “the resolution of the Iranian crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.”
But he said that Canada has consistently been clear that “Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand added that Ottawa has been consistent that Iran “must not possess nuclear weapons as they are a threat to international security.”
“Canada continues to support all efforts aimed at de-escalation, protecting civilian lives, and restoring stability through diplomacy,” she posted Sunday on X. “We urge parties to return to the negotiating table and reach a resolution to this crisis.”
She urged Canadians in the region to register with Global Affairs Canada to receive information about available travel options to leave.
Canada is booking seats on commercial flights from countries neighbouring Iran and Israel for Canadians wanting to fly home.
She said, with the Prime Minister, she is “regularly briefed on new developments, and are ensuring that all necessary resources are available in support of Canada’s work to protect our citizens.”
Ottawa facing criticism for not doing more to help Canadians leave Middle East
Global Affairs has said in updated travel advice that although Iranian airspace is closed in the conflict, land border crossings into Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan are possible for Canadians wishing to leave. It has listed border crossings to these countries that are accessible.
Canadian consular officials are at the border with Turkey and Armenia to help Canadians crossing from Iran, Ms. Anand posted on social media on Friday.
Canadians in Iran, Israel, Gaza and the West Bank are “advised to remain close to a bomb shelter or a hardened structure away from windows,” Global Affairs advice says.
But Mona Ghassemi, President of the Iranian-Canadian Congress, said on Sunday that “enough is not being done” by the government to help Canadians leave Iran.
She said because Ottawa does not have consular services in Iran, it cannot directly help Canadians in the country.
“From what we have heard, it seems to be not enough as Iranians reaching the emergency number were told it was up to them to get to the border to get a flight from a neighbouring country,” she said, adding that because there is no internet, it is hard to reach people in Iran at the moment.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed support for the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“Allowing the genocidal regime in Iran to get a nuclear weapon would have been reckless. American and Israeli actions to stop it from getting one are 100% justified,” he said in a post on X.
He hoped the Iranian people “will rise up and put an end to this appalling regime so the people can live in freedom and the world can live in peace.”
Mr. Poilievre also urged the government to protect Canadians from “violence spilling into our communities at home” and from Iran’s attempts to intimidate Canada’s Jewish and Persian communities.
NDP foreign affairs and defence critic Heather McPherson said Mr. Trump’s use of force against Iran “is illegal under both U.S. and international law.”
“New Democrats condemn this action by Trump and call for immediate de-escalation and a return of all parties to diplomatic talks. There is no military solution to this crisis.”
Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., referred to the circumstances as “a very sensitive moment,” saying the strikes were a “challenging additional factor to what was already a very, very tense situation.”
Speaking on CBC on Sunday, she said “Prime Minister Carney and the Canadian government is really urging everyone back to the table, urging de-escalation.”
“At the same time, we’re working hard to make sure that Canadians are safe in the region and know how to extract themselves,” she said.
Canadian envoy to Washington Kirsten Hillman has term extended during tense trade talks
In Canada, experts warned that the U.S. strike could lead to huge numbers of people fleeing Iran, which has a population of more than 90 million, into neighbouring states, including Armenia and Turkey. They also warned of repercussions for the world economy.
Fen Osler Hampson, professor of international affairs at Carleton University and president of the World Refugee and Migration Council, said if Iran were to close the Strait of Hormuz − a major oil corridor − it would lead to a spike in the price of oil and liquified natural gas.
There were reports on Sunday that the Iranian parliament had voted to close the sea corridor from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean used to transport oil to world markets. Iran’s theocratic regime would have to sanction such a move.
“We’re already on, as a result of tariff wars, on the brink of a recession, and I think that will just push us right over the cliff,” he said.
Prof. Hampson warned that the U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities could lead the regime to rebuild their nuclear plants and double down.
“You’ve created what I would call a major risk amplifier, because the Iranians now have very, very, very strong incentives to continue to try to develop their capabilities, for not just deterrence purposes, but potentially offensive purposes as well,” he said.
Are you trying to contact your family in Iran?
As tensions mount in the Middle East, reporters are looking to speak with people in Canada who have loved ones currently in Iran. Are you trying to reach them during Internet blackouts or attempting to get them out of the country? Tell us a bit about your situation in the form below or send an e-mail to audience@globeandmail.com with "Iran" in the subject line. A Globe reporter may reach out to you for a story.