Escalating Tensions: Iran Launches Attacks, Canadians Advised to Shelter in Place

The Middle East is facing a period of heightened tension following Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes against several nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Israel. These attacks are a direct response to recent bombardments and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Canadian Witness Account from Dubai

Graison Foster, a Canadian resident of Dubai, described a terrifying experience to Global News on Sunday. “I don’t know if you just heard that, but it sounded like something just went off,” Foster recounted, detailing the moment a missile struck near the Fairmont The Palm hotel where she lives. “I saw something go over and…boom, the explosion hit.”

Foster described a scene of explosions and interceptor missiles lighting up the sky. “But the sound of it and the visuals of it is of course very daunting and surreal. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, of course, growing up in Canada.” She and others sought shelter in a nearby restaurant for several hours.

Canadian Government Response & Travel Advisories

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has urged Canadians in the Middle East and Gulf States to remain sheltered in place and to evacuate only when it is safe to do so. Her statement on X highlighted the deployment of Canada’s standing rapid deployment team to provide surge consular support in countries including Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Jordan, and Israel.

Canadians are encouraged to register with Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive crucial updates. Minister Anand strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian infrastructure, calling them a “dangerous threat to regional stability and civilian safety.”

Numbers of Canadians in the Region

As of February 27th, Global Affairs Canada reported 2,934 Canadians and permanent residents registered in Iran, 22,944 in Lebanon, 5,527 in Israel, and 434 in Palestine. The agency notes that over 75,000 Canadians are registered across the broader Middle East, though registration is voluntary, making this a likely underestimate.

Queen’s University Students Stranded in Doha

A group of Queen’s University students found themselves stranded at Doha, Qatar’s airport after their flight home to Toronto was diverted due to airspace closures. Fourth-year biology student Claire Haffner described a “chaotic scene” upon disembarking, as the group awaits information on when they can resume their journey.

Ongoing Situation & Further Updates

The situation remains fluid and volatile. Global News continues to provide updates as they become available. This is a developing story, and Canadians in the region are urged to stay informed and follow local guidance.

—with files from Global News’ Prisha Dev, Heidi Petracek and Aaron D’Andrea, and The Associated Press