ottawa –
Canada “unequivocally condemns” Iran’s assault on Israel, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated Saturday night time, as tensions between the 2 international locations boil over and the Middle East strikes nearer to regional conflict.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s assertion got here after Iranian state media introduced on Saturday that Iran had fired a ballistic missile at a goal inside Israel, within the nation’s first direct army assault.
“These assaults as soon as once more reveal the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability within the area. We help Israel’s proper to guard itself and its individuals from these assaults,” Congressional Press Gallery Dinner stated. Prime Minister Trudeau stated.
He stated he receives common updates from the National Security and Intelligence Adviser, the Chief of Defense Staff and the Secretary of the Privy Council.
Israel additionally reported that Iran launched greater than 100 bomb-laden drones towards Iran.
U.S. officers stated on situation of anonymity that a few of the missiles had been shot down in flight.
Israel closed its airspace on Saturday in preparation for an Iranian assault, and by early Sunday morning air raid sirens had been blaring throughout the nation.
Israeli army spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari stated Iran launched quite a few drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, most of which had been intercepted outdoors Israel’s borders. He stated army plane had intercepted greater than 10 cruise missiles alone outdoors Israeli airspace.
He stated a small quantity managed to land in Israel.
The battle between the 2 international locations intensified after an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate in Syria and killed two Iranian generals. Tehran vowed revenge.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated Friday that Canadians ought to keep away from all journey to Israel given the elevated dangers.
He stated Canadians remaining in Israel ought to depart “by industrial means.”
Opposition Leader Pierre Poièvre stated Saturday that Canada must work with allies to carry Iran accountable.
“The Government of Canada should instantly ban the Revolutionary Guards, a terrorist group managed by Tehran, to guard our individuals and stop the regime from utilizing our nation for fundraising, planning and coordination.” said in writing.
The federal authorities has confronted stress in current months to designate the Revolutionary Guards (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, an arm of Iran’s army) as a terrorist group.
NDP overseas affairs critic Heather McPherson MP stated Canadians are “involved in regards to the human price of regional wars.”
“Only diplomacy can resolve this. Canada and the worldwide neighborhood should defuse this disaster now,” she wrote on X (previously Twitter).
International condemnation of Iran’s escalation has grown quickly, with the UN Secretary-General calling for an “quick cessation of those hostilities.”
The Israeli ambassador to Canada thanked Prime Minister Trudeau and Mr. Jolie for his or her phrases of help.
“Israel will proceed to defend itself in opposition to hostile assaults from Iran and all its regional proxies,” Id Moed stated in a press release. “Iran seeks to destroy regional stability. We thank our allies for his or her help as this unfolds.”
Meanwhile, Air Canada introduced it had canceled Saturday’s flight to Tel Aviv. The airline affords 4 round-trip flights per week from Toronto to Tel Aviv. The subsequent one is scheduled for Monday.
“We have additionally applied a versatile rebooking coverage for our clients and can proceed to watch the native scenario and regulate our schedules accordingly,” the spokesperson stated in a press release.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 13, 2024.
With information from Associated Press