More than 85,000 Canadians registered in the region as conflict widens
As violence escalates across the Middle East, the federal government is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to 10 countries in the region, warning that consular assistance may be limited during active conflict.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) says more than 85,000 Canadians and permanent residents are currently registered as being in affected countries. The figures are estimates, as registration is voluntary and some individuals may have already departed.
The heightened advisory follows coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, which targeted senior leadership. Iranian authorities later confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. Retaliatory strikes have since broadened the conflict.
According to GAC, 2,932 Canadians and permanent residents are registered in Iran and 6,006 in Israel. As of Monday morning, the federal government said it was not aware of any Canadians injured or killed as a result of the hostilities.
Beyond Iran and Israel, Canadians are being advised to avoid all travel to Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The government is also recommending that Canadians avoid non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Registration data provided by GAC lists thousands of Canadians across the region, including more than 23,000 in Lebanon and a similar number in the United Arab Emirates. Other countries with significant Canadian presence include Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
In a statement, Ottawa condemned strikes by Iran on civilian infrastructure, describing them as a threat to regional stability and civilian safety. The government called for an immediate halt to attacks that endanger civilians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has been in contact with counterparts in several countries, including Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar and the United Kingdom, as diplomatic efforts continue.
Anand confirmed that non-essential Canadian diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv have been asked to relocate, though no broader evacuation of missions has been announced. GAC says Canadian mission staff in the region are safe and accounted for.
The department is deploying members of its Standing Rapid Deployment Team — employees trained to respond to emergencies abroad — to assist in selected countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan, Turkmenistan and Türkiye.
Officials are urging Canadians in the region to register with Global Affairs Canada to receive updates and to prepare contingency plans independently, noting that consular services during active conflict are limited and prioritized for urgent cases.
As tensions continue to mount, Ottawa’s advisory underscores the unpredictability of the situation and the need for Canadians abroad to remain vigilant, informed and prepared for rapid developments.