Sunday, March 22, 2026
ADVT 
National

Anand says Canada's focus in Iran war is on unblocking Strait of Hormuz

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2026 09:39 AM
  • Anand says Canada's focus in Iran war is on unblocking Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she agrees with Prime Minister Mark Carney that the U.S. attack on Iran violates international law — and so does Iran's blockade of the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

Anand says Canada is looking at how it can support Gulf countries being attacked by Iran as Tehran pushes back on the war launched by the U.S.

Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas exports transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the blockade is causing a spike in fuel prices and disrupting food sources for some of the world's poorest people.

Anand says there "should be no weaponization of international shipping lanes."

The minister would not say previously whether Washington violated international law by bombing Iran, until Carney said it appeared that was the case.

Anand also would not say whether U.S. President Donald Trump is coercing American allies by linking their lack of support for his war in Iran with Washington's support for the NATO military alliance.

Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

MORE National ARTICLES

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays
British Columbia's finance minister has started to sell her "tough" budget, but at least one business leader says Brenda Bailey should have made deeper cuts because of the "scary" deficit numbers. 

Tough sell for B.C. budget featuring tax hike, record deficit and construction delays

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes
The British Columbia government won't be making big service cuts or raising taxes in the 2026 budget, even as it faces a projected $11.2 billion deficit.

B.C. budget eyes staffing but finance minister says no big service cuts or tax hikes

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review
Canada's former top public servant Janice Charette will serve as the country's chief trade negotiator to the United States during a crucial review of the North American free-trade pact, Prime Minister Mark Carney's office announced on Monday.

Janice Charette to be Canada's top trade negotiator during CUSMA review

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes
The Liberal government is making sweeping changes to the way it approaches supporting the domestic defence industry, as Canada looks to transition away from overreliance on the United States for military gear.

Carney strategy for defence industry pledges 125,000 jobs, sweeping policy changes

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.
Police on Vancouver Island say a 17-year-old boy has been charged after a shooting last week sent a 15-year-old victim to hospital. 

Youth charged in shooting that sent 15-year-old to hospital in Nanaimo, B.C.

Here's what we know about the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting investigation

Here's what we know about the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting investigation
The investigation into last week's shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., that claimed nine lives has moved into a new phase after police cleared the two crime scenes.

Here's what we know about the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting investigation