In Israeli conflict, we say Canada should not go to Iran “for any reason” – Country
The United States joined Canada on Monday, warning its citizens not to travel to Iran “for any reason” as Middle Eastern countries strike with Israel, which could be a deadly conflict that could lead to a full-scale war.
The U.S. State Department alert says that despite warnings that Iran’s airspace is closed, those seeking to leave need to leave Iran immediately, while those seeking to leave need to transit through the land border to neighboring countries.
“U.S. citizens who cannot leave Iran should be prepared for long-term asylum,” the alarm said.
“As a result of the increasing regional tensions, U.S. citizens in Iran are in serious danger.”
The alarm was issued the same day that Israel attacked Iran's national television station in the capital Tehran after warning thousands of people to evacuate.
Israel and Iran have conducted four consecutive strikes after Israeli forces attacked Iran's nuclear facilities earlier on Friday, killing top Iranian generals and scientists.
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A separate travel consultation on Monday warned U.S. citizens should not go to Israel, Gaza or the West Bank because of armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest.”
Canada updated its consultations on Sunday to Iran and Israel, telling Canadians to avoid all travel and warn of further attacks.
Israeli consultation warns that Israel's flights in and out of Israel are cancelled until further notice.
Both Iran and Israeli notices say Canadians should update their travel documents if necessary and identify the closest bomb shelter, or shelters without bomb shelter, refuges “off the windows” when the air strike sirens are out.
Canadians are also advised to avoid all travel to Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Yemen and Iraq because of “continued hostilities in the Middle East”.
Canadian Global Affairs said it will begin providing daily updates on the situation in the Middle East, including information and advice from Canadians stranded in Iran and Israel later Monday.
Neither Canada nor the United States has diplomatic or consular services in Iran. Canada's embassy in Türkiye provides limited consular services to Iranian Canadians, while Switzerland's embassy in Tehran provides protection for the United States
The U.S. alert said citizens who wish to leave Iran could do so by land entering Türkiye or Armenia and obtain commercial flights in the region.
It said that the borders of Azerbaijan are currently closed, but U.S. citizens can access the Astala crossing through special authorizations from the U.S. Embassy in Baku.
Special authorization is also required to enter Turkmenistan, which can be requested through the US Embassy in Ashgabat.
Israeli officials said 24 people have been killed in Israel so far, and more than 500 people have been injured in Iran's retaliatory attacks. At least eight people were killed on strike Monday.
Human rights activists, a Washington, DC-based Iranian advocacy group, said more than 400 people killed by Israeli strikes in Iran, including 197 civilians.
Iranian health authorities reported 1,277 people were injured.
– Documents with the Associated Press
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