Canadians in Iran, including physician Panid Borhanjoo, are struggling to leave the country amidst escalating conflict with Israel, due to Canada having severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012. With Iranian airspace closed and border crossings dangerous, Global Affairs Canada's ability to assist is 'extremely limited,' leaving over 4,000 registered Canadians largely on their own.
Canadians fleeing war in Iran face obstacles in absence of diplomatic ties
Canada
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Canadians in Iran, including physician Panid Borhanjoo, are struggling to leave the country amidst escalating conflict with Israel, due to Canada having severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012. With Iranian airspace closed and border crossings dangerous, Global Affairs Canada's ability to assist is 'extremely limited,' leaving over 4,000 registered Canadians largely on their own.
Trending- 1 Israeli missiles destroy Iranian nuclear facilities and kill military personnel in Tehran (Friday)
- 2 Dr. Panid Borhanjoo and family return to Tehran apartment
- 3 Dr. Borhanjoo attempts to contact Canadian embassies in Turkey and Syria without success
- 4 Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians in Iran to leave
- 5 Dr. Borhanjoo plans escape route and secures driver (Saturday morning)
- 6 Dr. Borhanjoo crosses mountainous border into Turkey
- 7 Dr. Borhanjoo flies from Van to Istanbul, then to Toronto (Tuesday)
- Canadians stranded in Iran
- Increased danger for Canadians in Iran
- Limited consular assistance from Canada
- Crowded roads leaving Tehran
- Uncertainty for return to Iran
What: Canadians in Iran face significant obstacles in fleeing the country due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and the absence of diplomatic ties between Canada and Iran.
When: Published June 19, 2025; Dr. Borhanjoo woke up Friday morning to news of Israeli missile strikes; he planned his escape Saturday morning and arrived in Toronto on Tuesday.
Where: Iran (Mazandaran, Tehran), Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Canada (Toronto), United States.
Why: Escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with Israeli missiles destroying Iranian nuclear facilities and killing military personnel, makes Iran unsafe. Canada severed diplomatic ties in 2012, limiting consular assistance and making evacuation operations impossible.
How: Canadians are largely on their own, with Iranian airspace closed and land borders dangerous. Dr. Borhanjoo secured a driver to Turkey and flew to Toronto. Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians to leave but cannot provide direct evacuation assistance.