CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures tick higher even as middle east tensions grow

June 23 (Reuters) - Futures linked to Canada's main stock index edged higher on Monday amid escalating geopolitical tension after the U.S. joined Israel in striking Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend.

Futures on the S&P/TSX index SXFcv1 were up 0.2% at 06:51 a.m. ET (10:51 GMT).

Iran said on Monday that the U.S. attack on its nuclear sites expanded the range of legitimate targets for its armed forces and called U.S. President Donald Trump a "gambler" for joining Israel's military campaign against the Islamic Republic.

Over the weekend, the U.S. had launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and Trump hinted at the possibility of regime change in Iran.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday that he spoke with Trump on issues ranging across de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East, NATO's proposed summit this week and trade negotiations with the U.S.

In commodities, gold XAU= eased on Monday as the dollar held firm. Oil prices LCOc1, CLc1 rose amid rising concerns around Iran shutting the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil supply route.

First Quantum Minerals FM.TO said an employee working at the company's Trident project in Zambia passed away following an incident involving a dump truck.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was barely changed on Friday.

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