According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Monday, August 17, 2026, Iran has sharply criticised Canada over what Tehran described as Ottawa’s support for the United States in the ongoing war against Iran, accusing the Canadian government of prioritising its relationship with Washington despite repeated tensions between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei made the remarks on Sunday, August 16, accusing Canada of aligning itself with US military objectives in the Middle East.

Baqaei argued that Canada had continued to accommodate Washington despite what he described as American economic and political pressure on Canadian sovereignty.

“Washington calls Canada its 51st state; Washington imposes tariffs on Canadian goods; Washington insults Canada and threatens to punish it over wildfire smoke,” Baqaei said in a post on X.

He then criticised Ottawa for its position on the conflict with Iran, accusing the Canadian government of participating in what he called an “unlawful war of choice” in an effort to appease the United States.

The Iranian spokesman ended his statement with a reference to Canada’s national sport, saying: “This is not hockey night in Canada; it is Washington’s farm team.”

The criticism comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally passes.

Canada has publicly supported international efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. At a G7 leaders’ meeting in March, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada supported efforts to safeguard international shipping and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 19, Canada joined Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan in expressing readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts aimed at ensuring safe passage through the waterway. The countries also condemned attacks on commercial vessels and called for the restoration of unrestricted maritime navigation.

However, Ottawa has repeatedly drawn a distinction between supporting maritime security and taking part in offensive military operations against Iran.

In a statement issued on March 8, Carney’s government said Canada had not been consulted and had not participated in US and Israeli offensive actions against Iran. Ottawa also said it had no plans to participate in such operations.

That position has remained central to Canada’s public explanation of its involvement in the regional crisis. Canadian officials have maintained that Ottawa’s role is focused on protecting Canadian citizens, supporting diplomatic efforts and promoting safe international navigation rather than conducting offensive military operations against Iran.

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