Canada, Qatar press diplomacy to avert wider Middle East war
March 10– Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed diplomatic efforts on Monday to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from escalating further, underscoring the need for intensified engagement to avoid a wider war with global consequences, Carney’s office said in a statement.
The conversation came as fighting involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to expand across the region, raising concerns among international leaders about broader instability and disruptions to global energy markets.
Carney and the Qatari emir emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict and prevent further escalation, according to the statement from the Canadian leader’s office.
The two leaders also condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Qatar. Carney expressed Canada’s solidarity with Qatar following the strikes.
“In accordance with international law, the leaders called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure that only serve to destabilise the region and worsen the global economic and energy situation,” the statement said.
Hostilities escalated after the United States and Israel began military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases.
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered varying objectives and timelines for the military campaign. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties inside Iran, including the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the information provided.
At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the humanitarian organisation Iranian Red Crescent Society.
Among them were 175 schoolgirls and staff killed in a missile strike on a primary school in southern Iran, the group said.
Iran’s military has also reported that more than 100 people were killed when a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka last week.
Israeli authorities say 11 civilians have been killed in Israel since the conflict began, while the U.S. military has reported that seven American service members have died.
