Canberra: Canada cannot “categorically rule out participation” in the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday as the conflict entered its sixth day, signalling that Ottawa may still consider joining military efforts alongside its allies if the situation escalates further.

Carney made the remarks during a joint interaction with Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, in Canberra. While emphasising that Canada had not been involved in the strikes so far, he indicated that participation could not be completely ruled out.

“One can never categorically rule out participation,” Carney said, adding that Canada would “stand by our allies” if required.

His statement comes hours after he acknowledged supporting the strikes on Iran “with some regret” while also noting that the conflict appeared to be “inconsistent with international law.”

Canada says it was not informed about strikes

Carney clarified that Canada had not been informed in advance about the joint airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

“We were not informed in advance, we were not asked to participate,” he said, pointing out that Ottawa had received no prior briefing regarding the military action.

Despite expressing concern about the legality of the strikes, Carney said it would ultimately be up to international authorities to determine whether they violated international law.

“Prima facie, it appears that these actions are inconsistent with international law,” he said, adding that such judgments would eventually be made by global institutions and legal bodies.

Canada is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and maintains close defence cooperation with the United States. Canadian forces are able to use American military bases during joint missions, reflecting the strong security partnership between the two countries.

Iran’s nuclear programme remains a concern

Carney also raised concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying the issue has remained unresolved despite decades of diplomatic efforts by the United Nations.

“Iran’s nuclear threat remains,” he said, adding that Washington and Tel Aviv had acted without consulting several allies, including Canada.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister, the current conflict illustrates a breakdown in the international system designed to manage geopolitical disputes.

“We are actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be,” Carney said. “But we also take this position with some regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order.”

Canada has not maintained diplomatic relations with Iran for nearly 15 years, largely due to concerns over alleged human rights violations and security issues. Ottawa also designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation last year.

Pakistan signals possible involvement through Saudi pact

The war has also raised fears that more countries could be drawn into the conflict.

Pakistan has indicated it may be pulled into the crisis due to its defence pact with Saudi Arabia, particularly if Iranian strikes target the Gulf kingdom.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reportedly warned Iranian officials against attacking Saudi territory with missiles or drones, according to reports.

The warning comes in the context of a NATO-style defence pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September last year. The agreement states that any attack on one nation would be treated as an attack on both, formalising security cooperation between the two countries after years of fluctuating relations.

If Iran were to target Saudi Arabia directly, the pact could compel Pakistan to assist Riyadh militarily, potentially widening the scope of the conflict.

War enters sixth day with rising casualties

The war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance began on February 28, when coordinated strikes targeted Iranian military and strategic installations. Washington and Tel Aviv said the operations were aimed at limiting Tehran’s advancing nuclear programme.

During the opening wave of strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed along with several members of his family, dramatically escalating tensions across the region.

Since then, Iran has responded with large-scale missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli positions and American-linked military facilities across the Middle East.

In the latest escalation, Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles toward Israel early on Thursday, forcing millions of residents to seek shelter in bomb shelters.

Meanwhile, the conflict has also spilled into other regions. Reports indicate that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship near the coast of Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of at least 87 personnel. NATO air defence systems also intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile headed towards Turkey.

So far, the war has claimed more than 1,000 lives, according to preliminary estimates.

Airspace closures disrupt global travel

The escalating conflict has also disrupted international aviation across the region.

Several countries including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Israel and Iran have temporarily shut their airspace due to security concerns.

Despite the closures, limited flights are still being operated to evacuate stranded travellers from the region, including citizens from India and other countries.

The shutdown of major air corridors has caused widespread flight cancellations and rerouting across Asia and Europe, further highlighting the global impact of the conflict.

Conclusion

As the war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance intensifies, the possibility of broader international involvement continues to grow. Canada’s cautious stance — refusing to rule out participation while criticising aspects of the strikes — reflects the delicate balance many Western nations are attempting to maintain.

With tensions escalating and new players potentially entering the conflict, global leaders face increasing pressure to prevent the crisis from expanding into a wider regional or even international war.