Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to reporters at the Canada-EU Summit held in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, June 23, 2025. The Canadian Press
Canada has changed its travel advice for those heading to parts of the Middle East. The warnings now cover Qatar, Bahrain, and Iraq, all home to U.S. military bases. The reason is the growing danger in the region following recent military attacks between Iran and the United States.
The government clearly told Canadians not to travel to Iraq. For those already in Qatar or Bahrain, the advice is to stay alert, avoid risky areas, and watch for falling military debris. Officials said the security situation could quickly become much worse without warning.
Iran strikes back
On Monday, Iran fired missiles at the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar. This attack came after the U.S. bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend. These back-and-forth strikes have raised fears of wider violence in the region.
Canada’s travel advisory now tells Canadians in Qatar to stay indoors if air raid sirens go off. People are urged to follow local safety instructions and be prepared for fast-changing conditions.
Prime Minister speaks
out Prime Minister Mark Carney commented on the situation while in Brussels for a Canada-European Union summit. He responded to a NATO official’s statement that the U.S. attacks on Iran did not break international laws.
Carney did not speak directly about the legality of the strikes. Instead, he pointed out several concerns about Iran. He said Iran has long tried to build nuclear weapons and has openly said it wants to wipe Israel off the map.
He also added, “For decades, Iran, in Canada’s view, has been and remains a state that supports terrorism. These are violations of international law. These are the ones we look to.”
More meetings ahead
Later this week, Carney will attend a NATO meeting in The Hague. The conflict between Iran and the U.S. is expected to be one of the main topics. Canada’s position will likely focus on security and upholding international rules.
