Canada urges citizens to 'shelter in place' amid escalating Middle East crisis

In their joint statement, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand warned that the regional situation remains unstable. They directly appealed to Canadians in Iran and nearby countries to "shelter in place".

"Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions," the statement added.

'Iran main source of instability'

The statement described Iran as the main "source of instability" in the region. It accused the country of sponsoring "terror" and having a poor human rights record. It also insisted that Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

"Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has not fully dismantled its nuclear programme, stopped all enrichment activities, or ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups," the two leaders said.

"Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran’s oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime’s repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people."

Canadian government urges for protection of all civilians

The Canadian government has urged for the protection of all civilians amid the conflict. "We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region," the statement said.

US intelligence agencies and the UN nuclear watchdog have not found evidence that Iran is actively seeking an atomic weapon. Iranian officials maintain that they do not aim to create a nuclear bomb.