(Ottawa) Canada “unequivocally condemns” Iran’s attacks on Israel, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday evening, as tensions between the two countries threaten to turn the conflict into a broader regional war in the Middle East. -East.
Trudeau’s statement came after Iranian state media reported that Tehran fired ballistic missiles toward Israel on Saturday, in Iran’s first direct military attack on the country.
“These attacks once again demonstrate the Iranian regime’s contempt for peace and stability in the region. We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its population against these attacks,” said Mr. Trudeau.
He added that he received regular updates from the National Security and Intelligence Advisor, the Chief of the Defense Staff and the Clerk of the Privy Council.
Israel also reported that Iran had fired more than 100 drones in its direction.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had shot down some of the missiles.
Israel closed its airspace on Saturday in anticipation of Iranian attacks.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Friday that Canadians should avoid travel to Israel due to the high risk.
She added that Canadians who remain in Israel should leave the country “by commercial means.” “
Meanwhile, Air Canada announced that it had canceled its Saturday flight to Tel Aviv. The airline operates four non-stop round-trip flights per week between Toronto and Tel Aviv. The next one is scheduled for Monday.
“We have also implemented a flexible rebooking policy for guests and will continue to monitor the situation in the region and adjust our program accordingly,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Conservative MP Michael Chong, foreign affairs critic, said his party condemned Iran’s attack and stood with Israel.
“Conservatives call on the Trudeau government to work with Canada’s allies to ensure Israel’s security and regional stability,” he wrote on X.
The conflict between the two countries intensified after an airstrike blamed on Israel destroyed the Iranian consulate in Syria and killed two Iranian generals. Tehran has vowed revenge.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Friday that Canadians should avoid travel to Israel due to the increased risk.
She added that Canadians who remain in Israel should leave through commercial means.
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said Canada must work with its allies to hold Iran accountable.
“The Government of Canada must immediately ban the Tehran-controlled terrorist group, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to protect our people and prevent the regime from using our country to raise funds, plan and coordinate its activities “, he indicated in a written statement.
The federal government has come under pressure in recent months to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian military, as a terrorist organization.
MP Heather McPherson, the New Democratic Party’s foreign affairs critic, said Canadians “are concerned about the human cost of a regional war.”
“Only diplomacy can resolve this problem. Canada and the international community must defuse this crisis now,” she wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Air Canada announced that its Saturday flight to Tel Aviv was canceled. The airline operates four non-stop round-trip flights per week from Toronto to Tel Aviv. The next one is scheduled for Monday.
“We have also implemented a flexible rebooking policy for guests and will continue to monitor the situation in the region and adjust our schedule accordingly,” a spokesperson said in a statement.