Canada calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran, says foreign affairs minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada is calling for de-escalation after Israel targeted Iran's nuclear sites and killed Iranian military leaders with a barrage of airstrikes early Friday.

"We as a country always prefer negotiated solutions, and we encourage parties to get the table," Anand said in an interview with CBC's The House that airs Saturday.

"The concerns relating to potential escalation are real, and the key is going to be to de-escalate and reach a negotiated solution," she told host Catherine Cullen.

Anand added that "of course Israel has the right to defend itself" and Canada is concerned "about the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ballistic missile program." She also said the federal government is monitoring developments.

Multiple locations in Iran's capital, Tehran, were hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted nuclear and military sites. Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets.

WATCH l The latest on the strikes, their aftermath and what may lie ahead:

Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday in strikes targeting the country's nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers. Iranian state TV confirmed that the leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and the chief of staff of Iranian armed forces were killed.

The leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was killed, Iranian state television reported, in a major body blow to Tehran's governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of its long-simmering conflict with Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on social media to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear program, warning that Israel's attacks "will only get worse."

Anand said Canada believes the "best path to sustainable peace and security in the region are the talks between the United States and Iran" and the federal government would like to see those talks continue.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a social media post on Friday morning that "Israel has the right to defend itself — including by disarming Tehran's genocidal nuclear program. It cannot wait until the regime has capabilities for a nuclear strike."

"All levels of government must take extra steps to protect Canada's Jewish community from vile antisemites who may use these events as an excuse for more acts of violence," Poilievre added.

Heather McPherson, the NDP foreign affairs critic, said "New Democrats condemn Israel's attacks on residential buildings in Tehran that have led to hundreds of casualties, including civilians" in a statement released Friday morning.

"While we have long condemned Iranian leadership, including the IRGC, this illegal act by Israel will only provoke further violence," McPherson added. She called for "de-escalation, diplomacy, and the rule of law — all principles that Canada has failed to prioritize in its approach to the Middle East."

Israel's attack comes days before leaders of the world's most powerful democratic countries gather in Kananaskis, Alta., for a critical G7 meeting led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Carney has received criticism for inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The RCMP has alleged Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Khalistani separatist who was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in B.C. in 2023.

"The previous government took a stand that was principled and it was direct," said Balpreet Singh, a spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization of Canada on Thursday. "When Prime Minister Carney was asked about it, he waffled."

Carney said on Wednesday that Canada wants to discuss energy security, critical minerals and the development of artificial intelligence — three of his stated priorities for this meeting of world leaders — and it's "hard to have those discussions without India."

Anand defended the move and said "the safety and security of all Canadians at home and abroad is my top priority" and dialogues between countries "will rest on the necessity of observing the rule of law and the safety and security of Canadians."

The foreign affairs minister added the RCMP investigation is ongoing and that "not every conversation is going to be easy at this conference."

"On the contrary, the discussions will be difficult and our prime minister and I — as his foreign minister — will be at the table to have those conversations," Anand said.

The G7 meeting will also be Carney's next chance to meet face-to-face with U.S. President Donald Trump as Canada tries to convince the United States to drop its tariffs on Canadian goods and energy.

CBC News and Radio-Canada have learned about the existence of a working document outlining details of a potential deal. Three sources with direct knowledge of the situation told CBC the document has been sent back and forth between Ottawa and Washington.

WATCH | U.S., Canada exchange document outlining possible terms of trade deal: sources:

In a sign that Ottawa and Washington are making progress toward some sort of trade agreement, CBC News and Radio-Canada have learned about the existence of a working document outlining details of a potential deal.

Although this is considered a step toward the overall goal of reaching a deal, there are warnings from multiple sources that more work needs to be done before there's an agreement.

When asked how close Canada is to reaching a deal with the Americans, Anand said "these negotiations are extremely sensitive and extremely important, obviously given that our bilateral trade relationship is extensive and integrated."

"The work that is being done to ensure that Canada's interests are paramount in these negotiations is work that is sensitive and will not be work that I discuss here," Anand told Cullen.

The foreign affairs minister also said Canada's new commitment to meeting the NATO spending target of two per cent by March ensures that Canada is a strong and reliable international partner while also bolstering the country's military capacity.