Canada and allies say they could ‘contribute’ efforts on Strait of Hormuz

Canada and allies say in a joint statement they are willing to “contribute to appropriate efforts”  to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war in Iran.

In a statement co-signed with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan, the nations “call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement reads.

The nations do not specify what actions may be taken.

The statement comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump called upon NATO and other U.S. allies to help secure the Strait from Iranian attacks.

He expressed anger earlier this week that “most” of those countries, including Japan, had declined his request.

Trump told reporters alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office earlier Thursday that the two leaders would be discussing the issue, particularly the possibility of Japan sending minesweepers to the region.

“We’ve had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything, and I believe that, based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate,” he said.

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“We don’t need anything from Japan or from anyone else, but I think it’s appropriate that people step up.”

He noted Japan is among several nations that receive a majority of their oil from tankers that passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We’re defending the Strait for everybody else,” he said. “In the case of NATO, they don’t want to help us defend the Strait and they’re the ones that need it.

“Now they’re getting much nicer because they’re seeing my attitude. They’re getting much nicer, but as far as I’m concerned it’s too late.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday that NATO did not receive a formal request from the U.S. for assistance in the Gulf region.

She and Defence Minister David McGuinty have said this week that Canada stands ready to help allies and Gulf nations defend themselves against Iran if necessary.

In response to the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes launched on its territory last month, Iran limited traffic through the strait — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas transits — and bombed major fuel shipping sites, causing global oil prices to spike.

At a news conference shortly before the statement was released, McGuinty said again that Canada was not consulted on the war before it began and doesn’t intend to join it. He did not rule out Canadian military involvement.

“If neighbouring states around Iran, in the Middle East and in the Gulf, require the assistance of NATO allies, this is something that NATO allies are considering and Canada is also considering,” he said.

“It’s also a very dangerous situation. It’s changing hour by hour, and it is sometimes difficult to get clear and hard intelligence, so we’re watching it very closely.”

Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar called out Prime Minister Mark Carney for joining the Thursday statement after allies had released it.

“He casts himself as a ringleader for middle powers. Instead, objectively, he’s flip-flopping his way through a major crisis,” Majumdar wrote on social media.

“Our allies acted, then Carney’s Liberals begged to be read in after the fact. It’s like he has no idea what he’s doing.”

In London, Anand told The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday that she will present a “document of principles” to G7 officials in Paris to encourage “a collective and co-ordinated discussion about off-ramps.”

She has previously said Canada is seeking ways to de-escalate the war, and that the government is focused on the safety and security of Canadians in the region.

—With files from the Canadian Press