By Canadian Press

Carney says Middle East ‘highly volatile’ after U.S. strikes Iran, calls for calm

Jun 22, 2025 | 8:03 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney called for de-escalation on Sunday after the United States carried out strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites earlier in the day.

Carney issued a social media post shortly before 8 a.m. Eastern saying the U.S. military action was “designed to alleviate” threats posed by Iran, but the situation in the Middle East remains “highly volatile.”

“Stability in the region is a priority,” Carney said on the social media platform X.

“Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

The military intervention brings the United States into Israel’s efforts to scuttle Iran’s nuclear program, which Carney said in his post poses a threat to international security.

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He reiterated Canada’s position that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Addressing the nation from the White House after the strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s key nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated.” There was no independent damage assessment.

It was not clear whether the U.S. would continue attacking Iran alongside its ally Israel, which has been engaged in a nine-day war with Iran.

Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, warned in a post on X that the U.S. attacks “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.

Carney cited a statement from G7 leaders coming out of the summit held in Alberta last week saying the solution to the Iranian crisis should involve a broader de-escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.

In her own Sunday social media post, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reminded Canadians in the region to register with Global Affairs Canada to receive country-specific information, including available travel options.

Carney and Anand are heading to Europe on Sunday for a trip dominated by security and defence talks at the EU and NATO summits.

— with files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press