According to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, over 500 Canadians in the Middle East have received assistance from the federal government amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Anand mentioned that more than 100 individuals are scheduled to board a flight departing from Jordan on Tuesday evening.
While speaking to journalists in The Hague, she noted that the assistance provided as of Tuesday includes registered Canadians through the Registration of Canadians Abroad system, as well as others who have reached the border.
However, she did not elaborate on the specifics of how the federal government assisted these Canadians.
“There is considerable activity, if I may say volatility, on the global stage, but Canada is here, executing our responsibilities, advocating for our interests, and aiding as many people, especially Canadians, as we can,” Anand stated.
She also mentioned that additional consular resources have been dispatched to the area.
Anand revealed that she had an “unprecedented” discussion with the Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi last Saturday.
“During my discussion with the Iranian foreign minister, I emphasized three essential points: the necessity for the safety and security of Canadians in Iran, the importance of pursuing a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the conflict, and advocating for the victims of PS752,” she remarked, referring to Iran’s downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 in 2020.
“This call was unprecedented, but each point I raised was very specific,” she added.
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Anand’s update came just a day after senior officials from Global Affairs Canada provided information regarding the situation in the region, confirming that all Canadians in Israel and the West Bank who wished to leave were offered options for departure.
She did not specify which countries in the region the more than 500 Canadians who received aid were located in, nor the origins of the more than 100 individuals being evacuated.
Despite Canada having no diplomatic presence in Iran, officials stated that staff have been present at various Iranian border points to assist Canadians, with over 20 members of its Standing Rapid Deployment Team active in the area.
Since June 12, officials reported that over 4,000 queries from Canadians in the region have been received.
Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians in Iran to “leave immediately,” as they are unable to offer assistance within the country.
Canadian consular staff have been sent to neighboring countries, including Turkiye, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, to assist Canadians exiting Iran through border crossings.
Information regarding exit points and consular assistance will be communicated to Canadians registered with Global Affairs Canada.
Anand’s update followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an agreement between Iran and Israel for a “complete and total ceasefire” to be implemented within 24 hours.
The current status of that ceasefire remains uncertain.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel targeted an Iranian radar site in response to an Iranian missile launch earlier that day, even after the ceasefire was initiated.
Iran’s military, however, denied firing on Israel, with state media reporting sounds of explosions and alarms echoing across the northern regions of the country.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents needing assistance can reach the GAC’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre through several channels:
- Telephone: +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls accepted where available)
- Email: me-mo.sos@international.gc.ca
- SMS: +1 613 686 3658
- WhatsApp: +1 613 909 8881
They can also follow GAC on social media platforms like X and Facebook.
— With files from The Associated Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
