Canada working on flights for nationals fleeing Iran, Israel conflict

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - The Canadian government will provide “commercial options” for flights from neighboring countries for Canadians fleeing the Israel-Iran conflict, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Thursday.

“Canada is extremely concerned about the quickly evolving conflict between Israel and Iran and we urge all parties to show maximum restraint,” Anand wrote on X. “In the interest of Canadians in the region, we are planning commercial options for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran to leave the region via certain neighbouring countries. This is in addition to ongoing efforts to assist Canadians attempting to leave Gaza.”

Anand did not identify the neighboring countries willing to harbor Canadians.

Canada issued an “avoid all travel” to Israel this week and that warning has included Iran for years.

Airports near the conflict are closed but Canada has established consul officials on each side of the border to aid those who want to get out of the area.

“We have deployed additional consular services to aid Canadians who want to leave the region,” she said. “In fact, we have now deployed additional consular services across the region – including to Israel, the West Bank, Jordon, Turkiye and Armenia.”

She urged Canadians to register with the Global Affairs website so they can find out the latest updates.

“We are developing further options with our allies,” said Anand. “We are very concerned for the safety of all Canadians and will continue to work 24/7 to ensure their safety.”