Middle East de-escalation must be priority after Israel attacks Iran: Anand

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand called for "de-escalation" after Israel attacked Iranian missile and nuclear sites Friday and Iran warned of "severe punishment" in retaliation.

The Israeli strike involved more than 200 aircraft and about 100 targets, according to Israel's military.

Iran confirmed the deaths of three of its top military leaders and launched more than 100 drones at Israel in response. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside the country's airspace.

"Further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences," Anand said in a social media statement.

"De-escalation must be the priority. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region. The protection of civilians must be paramount."

Israeli leaders described the attack as a pre-emptive strike to head off an imminent threat by destroying Iran's ability to build nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

Anand said Canada "remains deeply concerned by the threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program."

The minister urged "all parties" to avoid further actions that could destabilize the region and added that all Canadians in the area should exercise a "very high degree" of caution and follow the advice of local authorities. 

At this point, Canada has not announced any changes to embassy staffing in Israel and the broader region. Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012.

The U.S. evacuated some people from its embassy in Iraq before Israel attacked Iran.

Dennis Horak, Canada's last ambassador to Iran, said that if Ottawa chooses to evacuate embassies in the region, its first step would be to order dependants and non-essential staff to leave.

"There are contingency plans for all of the embassies to have about evacuation plans and things like that, and those will be dusted off and may be reviewed," Horak said.

"Ideally, out of our embassy in Israel, there would be a desire to get at least dependants out, but again the logistics of that may be challenging."

While Israeli airspace is currently closed, Horak said Canadians could leave by road into Jordan.

With Canada preparing to host the G7 next week, Horak said it's an "opportune" time for world leaders to discuss the conflict in the Middle East.

"How success would be defined is a whole other story," he said. "So I think it's fortunate timing, actually."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Israel has the right to act to defend itself by "disarming" Iran before it has the capability to launch a nuclear strike. 

"We should all hope that this is the end of the regime’s nuclear program and that the great Persian people can now rise up to reclaim their country from the totalitarian regime," Poilievre said on social media.

"All levels of government must take extra steps to protect Canada’s Jewish community from vile antisemites who may use these events as an excuse for more acts of violence."

NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson condemned Israel's actions in a media statement.

“New Democrats condemn Israel’s attacks on residential buildings in Tehran that have led to hundreds of casualties, including civilians," she said.

"While we have long condemned Iranian leadership, including the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), this illegal act by Israel will only provoke further violence."

Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi