TORONTO -- The Canadian government has updated its Iran travel advisory recommending against non-essential travel due to the 鈥渧olatile security situation.鈥�
Canada鈥檚 travel advice and advisories service, part of Transport Canada, upped Iran鈥檚 risk level Wednesday, warning of the 鈥渞egional threat of terrorism and the risk of arbitrary detention.鈥�
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Friday, when a U.S. airstrike in Iraq killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at bases in Iraq where U.S. personnel were stationed on Tuesday.
Canada鈥檚 latest travel warning included a specific caution for Canadian-Iranian dual citizens.
鈥淐anadians, particularly dual Canadian-Iranian citizens, are at risk of being arbitrarily questioned, arrested and detained,鈥�
鈥淚ran does not recognize dual nationality and Canada will not be granted consular access to dual Canadian-Iranian citizens. Canadian-Iranian dual citizens should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Iran.鈥�
The same advisory recommends avoiding all travel in parts of Iran bordering Afghanistan and Iraq.
鈥淎void all travel to the province of Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan, and to within 20 km of the border with Afghanistan, due to ethnic conflicts and the risk of kidnapping and terrorist attacks,鈥� the message read.
鈥淎void all travel to the area within 10 km of the border with Iraq, due to ongoing conflict in that country and cross-border ethnic conflicts.鈥�
Canadian travellers were warned to avoid all travel to Iraq on January 3. This was extended to Syria and Afghanistan the next day, when the government updated a raft of travel advisories for Middle Eastern countries 鈥渄ue to an increased threat of attacks.鈥�
鈥淭he security situation could worsen with little warning. Exercise caution,鈥� the notice read.
According to government guidelines, there is an extreme risk to personal safety in these countries and people already there should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
Countries where visitors are advised to 鈥渆xercise a high degree of caution鈥� were updated to include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
This means there are 鈥渋dentifiable safety and security concerns or the safety and security situation could change with little notice,鈥� according to the government of Canada. It recommends monitoring local media and following the instructions of local authorities.
The same warning is in place with added regional advisories to avoid all travel or non-essential travel in more dangerous parts of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
Travellers to Qatar are recommended to take normal security precautions, meaning there are no significant safety and security concerns.
The Canadian government has also suspended a NATO training mission in Iraq amid security concerns, defence minister Harjit Sajjan announced on Saturday.
鈥淲e are taking all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our civilian and military personnel,鈥� Sajjan said in a statement.
Sajjan added that Canada 鈥渃ontinues to monitor and evaluate the situation鈥� and remains in talks with international partners.
