OTTAWA — Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, plans to meet European counterparts on Friday to explore military options aimed at bolstering Gulf states amid escalating tensions.
No Direct Role in U.S.-Israel Strikes
General Carignan firmly ruled out Canadian participation in Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. “We are not talking about participating in Epic Fury, per se; this is not the mission under consideration,” she stated during discussions on the sidelines of the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence.
Instead, she emphasized potential defensive support for Gulf partners facing threats. “Our Gulf partners may require defence and support, so within that context, this would be the type of military options we could consider,” Carignan added.
Dynamic Threats Shape Response
The general described the regional situation as “dynamic,” requiring adaptable responses to evolving dangers, particularly ballistic missiles and drone attacks. “Any type of military platforms sent in those conditions would have to be equipped or protected with other types of systems,” she explained. “This is why there’s a range of different options.”
Since Operation Epic Fury began on Saturday, Iranian missile and drone strikes have targeted several Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Prime Minister Leaves Door Open
During a visit to Canberra, Australia, Prime Minister Mark Carney declined to exclude future Canadian military involvement. “We will defend our allies when it makes sense,” he said. Carney added, “One can never categorically rule out participation.”
His remarks came after reports that NATO defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile targeting Turkey, a NATO member.
Legal Framework and Deployments
Carignan confirmed that the Law of Armed Conflict now governs the situation, permitting defensive measures for self-defence. “Therefore, any states being attacked can take defensive measures to self-defence,” she noted. “Any operation would have to be within that zone of self-defence.”
Canada is actively engaging Middle East partners to assess needs and has stationed liaison officers in the region. The Chief of the Defence Staff did not exclude deploying additional personnel or capabilities.
