Prime Minister Mark Carney today downplayed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to completely destroy Iran as simply “the language of war.”
In a speech before the UN General Assembly in New York City Tuesday, Trump said he might “annihilate” Iran if the U.S.-Israeli war of aggression against it continues without a peaceful resolution.
“Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?,” Trump continued.
He added: “I believe we will make a deal right after the election, because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.”
Speaking in French in response to a question from a reporter about Trump’s comments, Carney said Iran is “one of the greatest threats in the current world” and claimed it poses an “existential threat to Israel and its allies.”
After stating that Canada wants to help “create the conditions for a ceasefire,” the reporter pressed Carney further to remark on Trump’s comments.
Carney said: “Well, there is a war underway, and he’s speaking the language of war.”
In April, Trump similarly threatened to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran did not immediately comply with his war demands.
Carney responded by suggesting that all parties to the conflict should “choose their words” more carefully, but offered no direct criticism of Trump or any call for restraint.
The U.S.-Israeli war of aggression against Iran has so far killed up to 3,636 Iranian civilians and resulted in a spike in oil prices after Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S., meanwhile, may have incurred greater personnel losses than previously admitted, according to recent leaks from American officials who spoke to the Washington Post. At least 22 U.S. troops have died so far, according to the officials.
Carney initially expressed support for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran after it began on February 28, but later admitted that the attacks were likely inconsistent with international law.
Meanwhile, the Carney government has spoken out forcefully against recent offensives by Iran-ally Ansar Allah against Saudi Arabian proxies in Yemen.
In a joint statement published by Global Affairs Canada Tuesday, officials said: “We call on the Houthis (Ansar Allah) to immediately cease all military actions, all threats and attacks against civilian shipping, and to return to the political process in good faith.”
During the UN conference, Carney also announced $100 million in aid to Palestine in order to keep alive what he called “the possibility of a two-state solution.”
The funding includes support for humanitarian aid and $20 million towards supporting security measures. This includes top-up funds for Canada’s training of police who collaborate with Israeli forces to suppress Palestinian resistance groups.
Israel is currently waging a genocidal war on Gaza and continues to expand illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank with the intention of killing off any possibility of a viable Palestinian state.
