Canada’s PM calls for ‘rapid de-escalation’ of war in Middle East

2026-03-03 - 23:43

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the war represented ‘another example of the failure of the international order’. (EPA Images pic) SYDNEY: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called on Wednesday for the rapid de-escalation of the conflict unleashed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, urging all parties to respect the international rules of engagement. Speaking in Sydney, Carney said the war in the Middle East represented “another example of the failure of the international order”. “Canada calls for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities and is prepared to assist in achieving this goal,” he said. “Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents,” he said. Carney has backed the Israeli-US strikes targeting Iran, saying Tehran had failed to dismantle its nuclear programme and cease support for militant groups. He expressed “regret” on Wednesday that international efforts had failed to disarm Iran. But he noted that “the United States and Israel have acted without engaging the United Nations or consulting with allies, including Canada”. Carney’s comment came on the second day of an official visit to Australia, a trip aimed at bringing in investment and deepening ties with a fellow “middle power” partner. He will address a meeting of the Lowy Institute think tank later in the day.