Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support Saturday for U.S. strikes targeting Iran, saying Tehran had failed to dismantle its nuclear program and cease support for militant groups.
“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,” Carney said in a statement issued from Mumbai, where he is on an official visit.
“Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups,” the statement added.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, after which Tehran responded with missile attacks on various countries hosting American troops in the Middle East.
Strikes across Iran
The joint operation began with smoke seen rising over Tehran after strikes that Israel said were pre-emptive.
The Israeli military said it targeted multiple sites where senior Iranian officials had gathered in Tehran. The military said it was “now assessing the results of the attack.” It also said it was targeting missile launchers in western Iran.
The strikes followed months of joint planning between the U.S. and Israel, it added.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported the strikes targeted Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In the deadliest reported attack, at least 51 students were killed in a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, state media said, after a provincial official said the deaths were due to Israeli strikes.
In southern Iraq, a bombing that targeted a military base housing a pro-Iran group killed at least two people, authorities said.
In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, after launching a first wave of missile and drone attacks at Israel.
“The first wave of widespread missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the occupied territories has begun,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement, referring to Israel.
Explosions were also reported across the Gulf region.
Allied support, warnings
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting over the escalation. The European Union said developments in Iran were “perilous,” and urged the protection of civilians.
Ukraine said the Iranian government’s “violence against its own people and other countries” had triggered the attacks.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. action against Iran, while the U.K. expressed fear that the military strikes could blow up into “a wider regional conflict.”
Oman’s foreign minister, who has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, said he was “dismayed” by the outbreak of conflict.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country refused to be dragged into war.
I’m a Canadian and I do not support the backing of the strikes. They killed children. This should never be supported. This can only escalate things. Very disappointing from Carney.
Since “Canada” is worried about the threat of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, does that also mean we are also opposed to Israel and the US having nucs in the area or is Carney just talking bull shit?
I think Carney is just another criminal banker looking to profit from yet another illegal US war.
I think it an error to suport Israel,that administration kept ingressing into Gaza strip,even if borders were settled in 47 or so.Their leader have been charged with FRAUD years ago,and still run his country.Israel have for generations been a pain in the arse of the world and yet USA and by a lesser degree Canada.WHY???? If there is mayhem in Irack,let their population settle the problem themselves.Trump as a gonghoe steped in to distract investigation at home,and acted without set rules of operation,that buffoon acts on whims,no farsight whatsoever,if something doesn’t work,he blames the others,never takes responsibility for his mess.I do not understand Canada’s reason to back Israel.Those two leaders,Nateniahoo and Trump should be in prison,what are they doing leading their countries????