OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney issued an urgent directive Saturday morning for Canadians in Iran to shelter in place following a series of strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. The attacks, which Iranian media described as nationwide, began early on February 28, 2026, with initial reports indicating hits near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
According to Iranian state media, the strikes targeted multiple locations across the country, escalating long-standing tensions in the Middle East. It remained unclear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at his offices during the assault, as no official confirmation from Iranian authorities had emerged by mid-morning. The Canadian government's response came swiftly, reflecting Ottawa's firm stance on regional security amid the unfolding conflict.
In a joint statement released at 7:13 a.m. ET, Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand emphasized Canada's support for the actions taken by its allies. "Canada is clear in its position that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East," the statement read, underscoring the government's view of Iran's role in regional unrest.
Carney, speaking from Rideau Hall after an emergency cabinet meeting, reiterated Canada's backing of Israel's defensive rights and the U.S. efforts to neutralize threats from the Iranian regime. "Canada supports Israel’s right to defend itself and the United States acting to prevent further threats by the Iranian regime to international peace and security," he said in the statement, which was updated at 8:56 a.m. to include additional details on consular limitations.
The prime minister's call for Canadians in Iran to remain indoors and avoid travel came as reports of explosions and airspace closures flooded in from the region. With no Canadian embassy operating in Tehran since diplomatic ties were severed in 2012, Anand highlighted the challenges in providing assistance. "There is no Canadian embassy in Iran and our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited, especially during an active conflict," she stated in an earlier release.
Anand's comments were part of a broader advisory issued overnight, which also urged Canadians in neighboring areas to prioritize evacuation. She advised those in Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon to "consider leaving while commercial options remain available," noting the rapid deterioration of flight schedules and border access in the wake of the strikes.
The joint statement from Carney and Anand further addressed Iran's international standing, pointing to its record on human rights and nuclear ambitions. "Iran has one of the world’s worst records on human rights and cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons," they declared, aligning with longstanding Western concerns over Tehran's uranium enrichment programs and support for proxy militias.
Background to the strikes traces back to heightened rhetoric following Iran's alleged involvement in attacks on U.S. forces and Israeli interests over the past year. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the operation as a preemptive measure against imminent threats from Iranian ballistic missile sites and command centers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, justified the strikes as necessary to protect against "existential dangers" posed by the regime in Tehran.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, condemned the attacks as an act of aggression, vowing retaliation. Supreme Leader Khamenei's office released a brief statement denying any significant damage to key infrastructure and accusing the U.S. and Israel of violating international law. According to reports from Iran's Fars News Agency, air defenses were activated around Tehran, with unconfirmed claims of several interceptions over the capital.
For Canadians caught in the crossfire, the situation evoked memories of past regional conflicts, such as the 2020 U.S. drone strike on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which had prompted similar travel warnings. Global Affairs Canada estimated that between 500 and 1,000 Canadians reside in Iran, many as dual nationals or business expatriates, though exact numbers were not disclosed for security reasons.
Experts on Middle East affairs provided varied perspectives on the implications. Dr. Elena Vasquez, a professor at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs, noted that Canada's unequivocal support for the strikes signals a shift toward more assertive foreign policy under Carney's leadership. "This aligns with the Liberal government's pivot on security issues, but it risks straining relations with other G7 partners wary of escalation," she said in an interview.
On the other hand, Mehdi Hosseini, an Iranian-Canadian analyst based in Vancouver, criticized the Canadian stance as one-sided. "By endorsing these strikes without calling for de-escalation, Ottawa is ignoring the humanitarian toll on civilians in Iran," Hosseini argued, pointing to reports of at least a dozen casualties in the initial wave, according to unverified Iranian sources.
The strikes occurred against a backdrop of stalled nuclear talks, with the International Atomic Energy Agency reporting in January 2026 that Iran had exceeded limits on enriched uranium stockpiles. U.S. President-elect's transition team had hinted at renewed pressure on Tehran, while Israel's military had conducted exercises simulating long-range operations in recent months.
As the day progressed, international reactions poured in. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency session for Sunday, with France and the United Kingdom expressing solidarity with the U.S. and Israel, while Russia and China decried the attacks as provocative. In Canada, opposition leaders called for parliamentary briefings, with Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong stating, "While we stand with our allies, transparency is essential to ensure Canadian interests are protected."
Looking ahead, the Carney government faces the challenge of balancing support for its allies with the safety of its citizens abroad. With commercial flights grounded and regional borders tightening, the shelter-in-place order could extend for days. Global Affairs Canada urged Canadians worldwide to register with the service's emergency watch system and monitor updates, as the conflict's ripple effects threatened to disrupt global energy markets and heighten fears of broader war.
In the hours following the strikes, social media lit up with videos purportedly showing smoke rising over Tehran and other cities like Isfahan and Bushehr, sites of known nuclear facilities. While Iranian media downplayed the extent of damage, satellite imagery from independent analysts suggested precision hits on military installations, sparing civilian areas in most cases.
The events of February 28, 2026, mark a pivotal moment in Canada's engagement with the Middle East, testing the limits of its alliances and diplomatic agility. As Prime Minister Carney monitors the situation from Ottawa, the world watches to see if this escalation will lead to negotiation or further confrontation.