Canada condemns Iranian crisis, GAC restricts travel

Philippine Canadian Inquirer
January 13, 2026

AVOID ALL TRAVEL. The risk level thematic map of Iran issued by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) on Jan. 10, 2026, at 03:10 ET, amid ongoing nationwide demonstrations and high tensions in the region. (Photo Courtesy: Global Affairs Canada)

OTTAWA, Ontario — Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Friday that the federal government denounces the human rights violations being committed by the Iranian government against its constituents amid nationwide protests.

“Canada strongly condemns the killing of protestors, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people,” the prime minister wrote.

“We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people, whose voice must be heard, as they demand freedom and dignity,” he added.

Meanwhile, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) issued a travel advisory strongly discouraging all travel to Iran and has advised Canadians in the country to leave if they can do so safely, noting that its consular services are “extremely limited.”

“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,” its advisory read.

GAC said the situation in Iran can further escalate as peaceful protests and gatherings could unpredictably turn violent as state forces implement “excessive and lethal force to disperse crowds.”

According to the US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency, it has recorded around 480 civilian and up to 50 security forces deaths over the weekend, while more than 10,600 were incarcerated since the protests started in December 2025.