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The federal government is planning to help Canadians fleeing the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran by organizing commercial flights out of neighbouring countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says.
Speaking to CBC News Network’s Power & Politics in an interview airing Thursday, Anand urged Canadians fleeing both countries to head to Jordan, Turkey and Armenia, where Canada is boosting its consular services.
“We are very concerned about Canadians in the region and we are encouraging all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” she told host David Cochrane. She said flights will be available “right away” and that Canada is looking at further options with allies.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand tells Power & Politics host David Cochrane that commercial flights are being organized for Canadians seeking to leave Israel, the West Bank and Iran — in addition to existing efforts to assist those looking to leave Gaza. Travelers will first have to get to ‘neighbouring jurisdictions’ because of airspace closures, with services expected right away.
Commercial airspace over both Israel and Iran has been closed as Israel and Iran have launched numerous attacks in the past week.
Anand encouraged Canadians seeking consular services to register with Global Affairs Canada.
Anand said “thousands” of Canadians remain in both Israel and Iran and more are reaching out to the government every day. CBC News has asked GAC for a specific number.
Thousands of Canadians have been stuck in Iran and Israel since the two countries started exchanging airstrikes, and officials warn it could be weeks before flights resume.
“We have more calls coming in from each jurisdiction, but we are monitoring those calls as well. Some calls that we get are about how do we maintain our safety while staying in the region — and in that respect, if they wish to stay, we are urging everyone to shelter in place,” Anand said.
“If they wish to leave, we are assisting them in neighbouring jurisdictions by booking flights for them to ensure that they can get to where they need to go.”
- Are you a Canadian currently in the Middle East? We want to hear from you. Send an email to ask@cbc.ca.
Canadians fleeing from Iran to Turkey have three border crossing options and one at the Armenian border, according to GAC’s website. Three border crossings are available from Israel and the West Bank to Jordan.
The government organized similar evacuation flights out of Lebanon last fall, as Israel carried out military action against Hezbollah. Evacuation flights were also organized in 2023 for Canadians who wished to leave Israel in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks.
WATCH | Canadians face challenges fleeing Israel-Iran conflict:
Diaspora communities in Canada have expressed grave concerns for family members in the region as the conflict escalated last week.
Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran’s military and nuclear sites last Friday, kicking off an exchange of missile fire between the two countries.
A Washington-based Iranian human rights group said at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1,300 wounded.
Iran has fired some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds.
Tensions could flare further as U.S. President Donald Trump has mulled on whether to get involved in the conflict.
Trump initially distanced himself from Israel’s surprise attack on Friday, which triggered the current conflict, but in recent days, he has hinted at greater American involvement, saying he wants something “much bigger” than a ceasefire. The U.S. has also sent more military aircraft and warships to the region.
Thousands have fled Tehran by car, spending hours in gridlocked traffic after Trump called for an “immediate” evacuation of the city of 10 million earlier this week.