Carney says his support for U.S. and Israel's war on Iran 'not a blank cheque'

Prime Minister Mark Carney says his support for U.S President Donald Trump's attack on Iran comes amid a "failure of the international order" and is "not a blank cheque."

In the aftermath of the initial strike over the weekend, Carney said Canada supports the U.S. in preventing the Islamic Republic of Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, calling the regime "the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East" with "one of the world's worst human rights records."

"We took a position because we view the nuclear threat and the export of terrorism of Iran over decades as one of the gravest threats to international peace and security," Carney said during a news conference late Tuesday afternoon eastern time. 

"In that limited sense we supported that aspect. That is not a blank cheque. That is not us participating. That is not us asking for something in exchange for that [support]. That is a just a straight up position."

Carney's original statement was applauded in some circles and criticized in others for failing to address international law.  

Speaking from prepared remarks, Carney updated his position, adding "Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents."

"Canada is actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be," he said. 

"We do however take this position with regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order." 

Carney said despite decades of UN Security Council resolutions Iran still remains a nuclear threat. 

"And now the United States and Israel have acted without engaging the United Nations or consulting with allies, including Canada," he said. 

This was the first time the prime minister took questions since setting off on a trade-focused international trip six days ago and the first since the airstrikes began over the weekend, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Carney urged for "rapid de-escalation of hostilities." 

"Diplomatic engagement is essential to avoid a wider and deeper conflict. Innocent civilians must be protected, and all parties must commit to finding enduring agreements to end both nuclear proliferation and terrorist extremism," he said.

"Canada will pursue this approach with like-minded countries and participants in conflict."