Date: July 9, 2026 l Reporter: Bill James
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has condemned Iran’s attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf as “unacceptable” and “unjustified,” signalling Ottawa’s growing alarm over the widening conflict in the region as Tehran escalates military pressure on commercial routes and U.S.-aligned Gulf states.
Speaking to reporters from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Anand said Canada stands with Gulf countries affected by Iranian attacks and warned that targeting civilian vessels and disrupting maritime commerce violates basic principles of international law and threatens global stability. Her remarks came as the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes for a second straight day, raising fears that the confrontation is rapidly evolving into a wider regional war.
Anand’s comments focused on the growing danger posed by Iran’s actions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for oil and gas shipments. Tehran has been accused of attacking or threatening commercial vessels transiting the Gulf, actions that have already unsettled energy markets and drawn strong reactions from governments concerned about the security of international shipping lanes. Canada has increasingly aligned itself with Gulf states and Western partners in condemning any attempt to obstruct maritime trade through the strait, particularly when civilian vessels are targeted.
According to CityNews, Anand described the attacks as part of a dangerous pattern that cannot be justified under international norms. She emphasized that ceasefires are always fragile, but said Iran’s decision to strike civilian shipping and lash out at Gulf countries only deepens the crisis and undermines any remaining diplomatic pathway. Her comments reflect Ottawa’s view that the current phase of the conflict is no longer just about direct U.S.-Iran hostilities, but about the wider destabilization of the Gulf region and the risks posed to global commerce, energy flows, and civilian safety.
The minister’s statement also fits into Canada’s broader diplomatic posture since the war intensified earlier this year. Ottawa has repeatedly called for de-escalation, respect for freedom of navigation, and the protection of civilians, while stopping short of endorsing direct military involvement. Anand has previously said Canada’s focus is on helping preserve safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and supporting diplomatic efforts rather than joining offensive operations. That position appears unchanged, even as Ottawa sharpens its rhetoric against Tehran’s actions at sea.
The timing of Anand’s remarks is significant. Iran has in recent days retaliated against renewed U.S. strikes by targeting military-linked sites in Gulf states and by intensifying pressure on shipping routes. Reuters reported that Iranian strikes have hit or threatened U.S.-linked targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf, while Washington has justified its own bombing campaign as necessary to protect maritime traffic after attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The result is a conflict that now reaches well beyond Iran’s borders, with Gulf states, shipping companies, and energy markets all caught in the fallout.
For Canada, the crisis is not only a matter of foreign policy principle but also one of practical global consequence. Disruption in the Gulf can drive up fuel prices, affect supply chains, and increase the cost of goods and transport around the world, including in Canada. Any prolonged insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz has the potential to push oil prices higher and add new strain to economies already dealing with inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. Anand’s language therefore serves both a diplomatic and economic purpose: to signal solidarity with affected allies while underscoring that attacks on shipping lanes are not a distant regional matter, but a threat with worldwide repercussions.
Her visit to Saudi Arabia and engagement with Gulf officials also suggest that Canada is trying to remain diplomatically visible in a fast-moving crisis where regional alliances and international pressure could shape the next phase of the conflict. By publicly backing Gulf states and condemning Iran’s actions in strong terms, Ottawa is positioning itself clearly on the question of maritime security even while it continues to call for restraint and diplomacy.
At the centre of Anand’s message is a simple but consequential argument: whatever grievances or strategic calculations are driving the war, civilian shipping and the free movement of international commerce cannot become acceptable targets. In a region where every missile strike and every tanker attack risks a wider spiral of retaliation, Canada’s foreign minister is drawing a firm line against the weaponization of one of the world’s most vital trade corridors.
Whether such diplomatic pressure will help calm the situation remains uncertain. But Anand’s remarks add Canada’s voice to a growing chorus of governments warning that Iran’s attacks on Gulf shipping are not only provocative, but potentially catastrophic if they continue to push the region toward a broader war.