CTV National News for Thursday, March 5, 2026: Middle East war widens, and President Trump says he must help choose Iran’s next leader

Mike Le Couteur gauges the reaction in Ottawa following NDP MP Lori Idlout's crossing the floor to the Liberals, putting the party two seats shy of a majority; First Nations chiefs from western Canada met with King Charles on Wednesday to reaffirm their relationships with the crown. Kathy Le explains; Genevieve Beauchemin has the latest on a slow-moving storm across Canada that could affect millions, causing disruptions and delays due to freezing rain.

NDP Leader Don Davies announced Tuesday that Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to the Liberals, edging the party closer to a majority; Rahim Ladhani has more on the investigation and the reactions from officials after shots were fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto; Joy Malbon examines the mixed messaging from the Trump administration regarding when the war in Iran will end, as U.S. strikes intensify.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the war with Iran will be over 'very soon', adding that 'it's the beginning of building a new country.' Adrian Ghobrial reports from the Kapikoy border crossing between Turkiye and Iran, as hundreds of families, including Canadians, flee to safety; Ottawa announces a nearly billion-dollar pledge by the federal government that aims to grow Canada's domestic drone and aerospace tech sectors. Mike Le Couteur has the details.

As the war in Iran continues, more people are attempting to flee by seeking safe passage into Türkiye; a Canadian woman with a Palestinian husband says their families’ options for finding safety are limited; the federal government has officially called for three byelections, with two seats historically in Liberal stronghold; and more.

Adrian Ghobrial reports from Istanbul, Turkiye, where Canadians are anxious to leave the Middle East as violence grows; Canadians arriving back to Toronto say the United Arab Emirates helped get them on a flight back home; community members are calling for Toronto police to do more to fight antisemitism in the region; and more.

Abigail Bimman reports from Tokyo as Canada and Japan announce a new partnership to boost trade, energy, and defence cooperation. Canadians arrive at Pearson Airport after fleeing rising tensions in the Middle East amid limited flights as airlines suspend routes. Beth Macdonell reports. John Vennavally-Rao has more on the Canadian athletes participating in the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as they aim to bring home gold.

Iran adds Azerbaijan to its targets as the U.S. and Israel carry out strikes, while Canadians continue to seek escape routes; U.S. President Trump now says he must be involved in picking Iran’s next leader, and PM Mark Carney left the door open to joining NATO allies in the Middle East. 

Turkey is on alert after an Iranian missile was shot down over its airspace, marking the first time a NATO member has been targeted; Canadian drivers are not pumped about rising gas prices; Meteor fireball behind mysterious flash and boom over Vancouver.

More U.S. and Israeli strikes triggered retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, with embassies hit and civilians fleeing to safety;U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran’s air defences and leadership are 'gone,' and voiced frustration with his own advisers and allies, and as airstrikes on Iran rattled investors, with the TSX and Dow dropping sharply before rebounding, as oil and gas continue to spike. 

U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iran again as Tehran fires missiles across the region, forcing civilians to flee to Turkey, as questions continue to mount over the timing and goals of Operation Epic Fury, leading to U.S. defence leaders not ruling out boots on the ground, as officials face questions about the timing and objectives of Operation Epic Fury.