Conflict in the Middle East: Donald Trump threatens to annihilate Iran
Deadline to Iran: Donald Trump decided on Tuesday to consider a request from Pakistan, urging him to extend his deadline by two weeks.
Prime Minister Mark Carney invited leaders involved in the Iranian conflict to weigh their words and act cautiously, without specifically mentioning President Donald Trump and his recent fiery statements regarding a potential American military intervention.
Mr. Trump warned on Tuesday that “an entire civilization will disappear tonight, never to rise again” if no agreement is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, he had threatened to bomb Iran back to the “stone age.”
Questioned about Mr. Trump’s remarks at a press conference on Tuesday in Brampton, Ontario, Mr. Carney stated that all parties in the Iran war must respect international law.
“It is the responsibility of all combatants, from any country, in this conflict and in any conflict, to respect international commitments – including avoiding attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said Mr. Carney, without specifically naming Mr. Trump or the United States.
Mr. Carney also reiterated his position that the Iranian regime poses a threat to global security, responding to a question about whether he regretted initially supporting the war.
At the beginning of the war, the Prime Minister had declared Canada’s support for strikes to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
A few days later, Mr. Carney indicated that this support was given “with regrets,” stating that the conflict represented “another example of the failure of the international order.” He cited Iran’s tendency to ignore UN Security Council resolutions and the fact that the United States and Israel did not consult their allies before launching attacks.
“Canada has always made a fundamental distinction, as others do, between these goals and the obligations arising from international law, and the respect for human rights, on the other hand,” Mr. Carney affirmed on Tuesday.
Other international leaders have called for restraint in recent days, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who warned the United States that attacks on civilian infrastructure are prohibited by international law.
Some Canadian politicians have criticized Mr. Carney’s refusal to specifically comment on Mr. Trump’s rhetoric.
“Our ally threatens to commit genocide. At Davos, our Prime Minister promised coherence based on principles. Where is Canada’s condemnation?” posted Don Davies, New Democratic Party member of parliament and former interim leader, on X.
The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, expressed his “unequivocal support” for Prime Minister Carney’s call for restraint.
“I emphasize our deep indignation and concern regarding the threat of eradicating the Iranian civilization, unprecedentedly disregarding international law, human rights, and the sense of responsibilities that should guide a democracy that is also the world’s leading economic and military power,” he added on social media.
Mr. Blanchet also urges the Prime Minister to make a “very significant diplomatic gesture” by summoning the American ambassador to Canada.
Mr. Trump assured on Monday that he was “not at all” concerned about committing war crimes as he continues to make threats of destruction. He also warned that all nuclear power plants in the country would “be on fire, explode, and never be used again.”
– With information from the Associated Press
