Carney Shifts Stance on US Iran Action Legality

OTTAWA Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney initially voiced support for the United States' military action against Iran when it began on February 28 but later expressed concerns over its compliance with international law, he told reporters in an interview Friday.

Carney explained that Ottawa's position evolved as the objectives and methods of the U.S.-led operation became clearer. "The scale of what the objectives were, or the clarity about what the objectives were, were not there at the start and have arguably evolved over time," he said from his West Block office.

On the day the conflict started, Carney offered unequivocal backing. Within days, however, he voiced regret that Washington had not consulted the United Nations, noting the action likely violated international law. The change drew criticism from Iran's opponents, who saw it as weakening a firm stance, and from international law advocates, who highlighted Carney's prior Davos speech rejecting hegemonic actions by major powers.

Carney defended the initial response, noting it came hours after the operation launched. He reiterated Canada's longstanding view that Iran is the world's largest exporter of state-sponsored...