OTTAWA — The federal government is urging Canadians to "avoid all travel" to Israel as the country exchanges missile and air strikes with Iran.
Global Affairs Canada issued the warning Friday "due to the ongoing hostilities and unpredictable security situations," according to new guidance listed on the department's website.
"The security situation can deteriorate rapidly," the government's website for travel advice said. "Make sure your travel documents and those of your spouse and children are up to date and secure at all times."
All flights to and from Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport have been cancelled, the notice said. The airport itself is closed until further notice.
Meanwhile, Canada's foreign affairs minister has asked Canadians in the Middle East in need of emergency assistance to contact the Department of Global Affairs. Anita Anand's social media post Saturday morning came after she condemned Iran's attack on Israel and called for restraint from both countries.
Israel’s defense minister warned Saturday that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues firing missiles.
The two countries traded blows after Israel launched a blistering surprise attack Friday on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing several top generals.
Iran’s United Nations ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded.
Iran retaliated by launching waves of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel, where explosions lit the night skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook buildings. The Israeli military urged civilians, already rattled by the war in Gaza sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, to head to shelter for hours. Health officials said three people were killed and dozens wounded.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that Iran's nuclear weapons program has long been a cause of concern.
"Its missile attacks across Israel threaten regional peace," he added in a social media post. "Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure its security. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and move towards a diplomatic resolution."
Israel and Iran signaled more attacks are coming, even as other world leaders join Carney in urgently calling for de-escalation to avoid all-out war.
The Middle East is already on edge as Israel makes a new push to eliminate the Iranian-backed militant group Hamas in Gaza after 20 months of fighting.
Israel — which is widely believed to have a nuclear weapons program — said its hundreds of strikes on Iran over the past two days also killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran’s nuclear program.
The ongoing Israeli strikes appear to have halted — for now — any diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
A sixth round of talks mediated by Oman was set to get underway in the capital city of Muscat this weekend, but Oman’s foreign minister announced Saturday the negotiations “will not now take place." Iran’s top diplomat said Saturday the talks were “unjustifiable” after the Israeli strikes.
- with files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2025.
The Canadian Press
