Foreign Affairs Minster Anita Anand is warning Canadians in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon to consider leaving – a caution that came as airstrikes landed in Tehran Saturday.
The United States and Israel launched an attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Mumbai Feb. 28, 2026.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Explosions were heard in several Iranian cities, Iranian media reported.
Ms. Anand, who is in India on a trade and goodwill mission, issued a statement asking people in these countries to consider leaving by commercial air carriers, calling the security situation across the Middle East “volatile and unpredictable.”
She also said Canadians in Iran should leave now if they can do so safely. She noted Canada has no embassy in Iran and that relations are poor, given that Ottawa recently listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. “Our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited, especially during a an active conflict.”
Israel’s military on Saturday said it had protectively sounded air raid sirens in areas across the country “to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward Israel” in retaliation.
With files from Reuters
