Ottawa [Canada], March 4 (ANI): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the country supports efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, pointing to US-Israel joint military strikes on the country, adding that Ottawa takes its position 'with regret' amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement on Tuesday, addressing the evolving situation in the region, Carney described Iran as 'the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East', alleging that the regime and its proxies have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Canadian civilians and widespread suffering across the region.

He noted that despite more than two decades of negotiations and diplomatic initiatives, Iran has neither dismantled its nuclear programme nor halted its enrichment activities.

'Canada has long seen Iran as the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East. The regime and its proxies have murdered hundreds of Canadian civilians and caused untold suffering for millions of people in the Middle East and beyond. Despite more than two decades of negotiations and diplomatic efforts, Iran has not dismantled its nuclear program, nor halted its enrichment activities. Canada has long supported the imperative of neutralising this grave global threat,' Carney said.

Expressing solidarity with the Iranian people, he stated that Canada stands with them in their 'long and courageous struggle against the regime's oppressive rule', adding that Canada supports efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and from further threatening international peace and security.

However, Carney said Canada's stance comes 'with regret', calling the current conflict another example of the failure of the international order.

'Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against the regime's oppressive rule. Which is why we support efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. Because Canada is actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be. We take this position with regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order,' he added.

He pointed to decades of resolutions by the United Nations Security Council, efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and multiple sanctions and diplomatic frameworks that have not resolved concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Carney also observed that the United States and Israel had acted without engaging the United Nations or consulting allies, including Canada.

With tensions rising and civilian lives at risk, Carney reaffirmed that international law binds all parties involved in the conflict and condemned strikes carried out by Iran on civilians and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East and urged all sides, including the United States and Israel, to respect the rules of international engagement.

'Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents. We condemn the strikes carried out by Iran on civilians and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East. We implore all parties, including the United States and Israel, to respect the rules of international engagement,' he stated.

Calling for a rapid de-escalation of hostilities, Carney said Canada is prepared to assist in efforts to stabilise the situation and stressed that resolving the crisis requires a broader political solution, with diplomatic engagement essential to prevent a wider and deeper conflict.

'Innocent civilians must be protected, and all parties must commit to finding enduring agreements to end both nuclear proliferation and terrorist extremism,' he said.

Carney added that Canada will continue to work with like-minded countries and participants in the conflict to pursue diplomatic solutions. (ANI)