New Delhi, March 19 -- Canada was not consulted over the U.S-Israeli strikes on Iran that sparked the war in the Middle East and has no intention of participating in any offensive military operation, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday.

In a brief telephone interview with The Associated Press ahead of talks in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Anand stressed Canada's priority was the de-escalation of the conflict and the protection of civilians.

Anand arrived in Turkey for consultations on the situation in the region as the war rages on.

U.S. President Donald Trump called last week on NATO allies and major powers to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the alliance faces a "very bad future" if t...