Canada urges citizens to leave parts of Middle East due to security risks

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand issued an urgent statement on February 27 calling on Canadian citizens in parts of the Middle East to leave, citing a "volatile and unpredictable" security situation.

Anand advised Canadians in the region to "remain vigilant, monitor local and international media, and follow the instructions of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place," Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

The statement specifically recommended that Canadians in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon "consider leaving while commercial options remain available."

The warning for Canadians in Iran was more severe, urging them to "leave now if they can do so safely."

Highlighting the absence of a diplomatic presence, the statement added: "There is no Canadian embassy in Iran and our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited, especially during an active conflict."

The advisory comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate amid a significant US military buildup in the Middle East and stalled nuclear negotiations.

Other governments have taken similar steps. The United Kingdom temporarily withdrew staff from its embassy in Tehran and updated its travel advice to warn against "all but essential travel" to Israel. China and India urged their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the risk of hostilities. Germany advised "urgently" against travel to Israel, while France reiterated its longstanding advice against travel there.

By Sabina Mammadli