Canadian PM Carney Calls Iran-US Deal a 'Game Changer'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. (Twitter/@MarkJCarney)

JAKARTA - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday said he had seen an agreement between the United States and Iran and called it a 'game changer.'

"I have to say that this has exceeded my expectations. We are very happy with the agreement that has been reached," Prime Minister Carney told CNN on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, quoted by Anadolu (17/6).

An electronic memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the US and Iran on Sunday, which includes the cessation of military operations on all fronts and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while preparing the stage for talks on Iran's nuclear program related to the lifting of sanctions.

The plan is for the official signing of the two countries to be held in Switzerland on June 19.

The agreement, which has not been made public, outlines an initial ceasefire and calls for the immediate lifting of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Well, I've seen the agreement. We have our sources, like you," PM Carney said, when asked if President Donald Trump showed him the deal.

"This is a reasonable period for an agreement, which has been in place. This is a cessation of hostilities. This is a ceasefire for that 60-day period. So, I think it's well structured from our perspective. Again, it's well structured. I actually think, yes, I think this is a big change," explained PM Carney.

Citing the agreement, PM Carney said Iran would not develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

"That is the essence of this agreement," he said.

When asked if Canada planned to help open the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Carney said his country would help "as much as possible."

"We are not a large regional naval force. We have some assets that we can use to help with this. We can do some things related to monitoring, but most importantly, we can do things on the financial side, because remember, there are assets that are being liquidated," he added.