Canberra: Australian and Canadian prime ministers on Thursday called for de-escalation in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. 'The world wants to see a de-escalation,' Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters alongside his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney in Canberra.

According to Anadolu Agency, Albanese was responding to a question about the conflict in the Middle East that 'appears to be widening,' as per an official transcript of his comments. 'There needs to be a de-escalation of hostilities. Right now, we have a spreading of hostilities . there needs to be the ending of targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure. Those are necessary conditions before ceasefire can exist,' Carney said.

Carney is on an official trip to Australia as part of his three-nation Asia tour. Both leaders opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, highlighting the urgency of reducing tensions in the region.

Tensions have surged in the Middle East following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran beginning February 28, resulting in over 900 deaths, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 165 elementary schoolgirls, according to Iranian authorities. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting US-linked sites in Gulf countries, leading to multiple fatalities, including at least six US service members and several injuries.

When questioned about the viability of the Five Eyes alliance, Carney remarked, 'There are many challenges, but there are many things that continue to function very well and the Five Eyes would be top of that list.' The Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing alliance comprising the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.