Canada condemns attacks by Iran as conflict spreads across Middle East

The United States and Israeli attacks on Iran have entered their third day Monday morning, with the conflict spreading to other countries in the Middle East.

The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran Saturday that killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Canada’s minister of foreign affairs Anita Anand says Canada was not involved, had no advance notification and will not participate in any military action.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes of its own against Israel and other Middle East countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and The United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Anand released a statement Monday morning, which said the country is closely following developments in the Middle East.

“Canada condemns the strikes carried out by Iran on civilian infrastructure across the Middle East, including the Gulf States,” reads the statement.

“These attacks are a dangerous threat to regional stability and civilian safety. They represent an unacceptable escalation and a blatant attempt to further destabilize the region. Attacks that endanger civilians and civilian infrastructure are deeply concerning and must cease immediately.”

Anand said in a statement Sunday that surge consular support was deployed to the surrounding region to help Canadians across the region, including in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan, Turkmenistan and Türkiye.

As Global Affairs warns Canadians to avoid all travel to large parts of the Middle East, Air Canada has suspended all its flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv.

WATCH MORE: Update: Iran’s supreme leader is dead after U.S., Israeli strikes

The airline warns travelers already in those regions not to head to the airport, as airports have been targeted.

Air Canada says its team is actively monitoring the situation in Dubai and Tel Aviv, and will share rebooking options directly, as soon as possible.

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to continue the mission against Iran, while top officials there say they will not be negotiation with the U.S.

The American consular affairs department posted on social media telling people to not come to the embassy, and take cover over continuing threats.

E.U. commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the only lasting solution is a diplomatic one.

Israeli forces and tanks could be seen on the Lebanon border Monday morning after Hezbollah attacked Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s leader.

Heavy airstrikes have been exchanged back and forth between the two regions.

Humanitarian groups say over 500 people have been killed since the strikes began on Saturday.

In the meantime, Iranian state television has released images of the country’s new leadership council.

The country’s constitution says that if the supreme leader is no longer in power, a provisional leadership council comprising the president, the head of the judiciary, and a senior cleric from the Guardian Council should assume responsibilities until a new leader is elected.

Back here in Canada, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police says there is no imminent threats to Canada with the conflict in Iran, but is urging people remain vigilant of any hate-motivated violence.

With files from The Canadian Press.

An earlier version of this story has an incorrect headline which has been edited.

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