The Canadian government has urged its citizens to leave Iran and avoid all travel to the country, citing escalating anti-government protests and growing security risks.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a travel advisory published on Tuesday, Canada described the situation in Iran as “increasingly volatile” due to nationwide demonstrations, regional tensions, and the threat of arbitrary detention.
“Avoid all travel to Iran due to ongoing nationwide demonstrations, tensions in the region, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws,” the advisory said.
“You should leave Iran now if you can do so safely.”
The advisory noted that Iranian authorities have detained both local and foreign nationals as a form of political or diplomatic pressure, and that Canada’s ability to provide consular support in the country is “extremely limited.”
While many airlines have suspended flights to and from Iran, overland exits remain available, with land borders to Armenia and Turkey still open. Canadian passport holders do not require visas to enter those countries.
The warning comes as anti-government protests, which began in Tehran on December 28, have spread nationwide. Demonstrators cite worsening economic conditions, government mismanagement, Western sanctions, and restrictions on civil liberties as key drivers of the unrest.
Human rights group HRANA reports that at least 2,003 people have died during the protests, including 1,850 protesters, 135 government-affiliated individuals, nine minors, and nine non-protester civilians. At least 16,784 people have been detained.
A digital blackout has been imposed across Iran since last Thursday as part of the government’s crackdown, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. Several foreign governments, including the UK, Italy, and Germany, have condemned the Iranian authorities’ response and summoned Iranian envoys to protest the violence.
