Escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to cause chaos for Canadians around the world, affecting energy supplies, oil production and travelers trying to return home from the Middle East.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran in a message posted on Truth Social, saying the country could face more strikes.
“Today Iran will be hit hard!” Trump wrote, adding that some previously unthinkable targets could now face “total destruction and certain death.”
Trump said Iran had “apologized and surrendered to its neighbors in the Middle East” following what he described as “unrelenting attacks by the US and Israel,” while warning that it would continue to escalate.
In an effort to ease tensions, Iran’s president issued an apology to neighboring Gulf states on Saturday for their attacks on regional countries, as Iranian missiles and drones continued to fly towards Gulf Arab states.
At the same time, he rejected US President Donald Trump’s demands that Iran surrender.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi dismissed the president’s apology, sharply criticized the Trump administration and warned that the US would be responsible for further conflict.
“If Mr. Trump wants a promotion, that is exactly what our Armed Forces have been prepared for, and what he will get,” Araghchi said in a statement.
“Mr. Trump’s week-long misadventure has cost the US military $100 billion, in addition to the lives of young soldiers,” the statement continued.
“When the markets reopen, those costs will come out and be passed directly to ordinary Americans at the pump stations.”
Trump attended a repatriation ceremony Saturday afternoon for six US service members killed in action.
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The rapidly deteriorating situation continues to affect Canadians abroad.
Air Canada has announced that it has extended the suspension of flights to several destinations in the Middle East due to the military situation in the region.
Flights to Dubai remain canceled until March 28, while flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until May 2.
The airline said passengers currently in affected regions should not travel to the airport and encouraged travelers to monitor government advice as the situation changes.
Some Canadians are already returning home through other programs created with the help of the federal government.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, families were reunited with loved ones who arrived from Dubai on a chartered military plane.
“I have to say there were a few scary moments for sure,” said rider Sharon De Sousa after arriving in Toronto.
“It’s not normal that there are military planes like this, the boom goes off, the warnings go out in the middle of the night. It was really scary, but I have to say that the Dubai government made sure that everyone is safe,” he told Global News.
“I’m very grateful to be on the plane today.”
For many families waiting at the airport, the emotional stress of the crisis was palpable.
“It was nothing less than anxiety and panic,” said Adi Sribats, who had been tracking his father’s flight throughout the night. “I was tracking his flight until 3 or 4 in the morning”
Doug Ryan, who was picking up his daughter when he arrived in Dubai, said his family was relieved to have her home safely.
“Her husband has told us a lot. They seem to have a very good air defense system, but we are relieved to have her home.”
Government data shows thousands of Canadians in the Middle East have sought help to return home as the conflict escalates.
According to Global Affairs Canada, approximately 109,300 Canadians are registered in the region through the Canadian Abroad Registration program, with approximately 7.4 per cent seeking travel assistance.
Statistics compiled by Global News show the number of applications varies greatly by country.
The United Arab Emirates has the highest number of Canadians seeking help, with 14.7 percent of people requesting to leave out of more than 30,000 registered Canadians.
That is followed by Iraq, where about 13.2 per cent of registered Canadians have asked for help, and Iran, where about 12.4 per cent have asked for help.
Meanwhile, as Israeli strikes intensify in southern Lebanon and residents in other areas have been told to evacuate, the number of Canadians seeking help to travel remains at an all-time low. Only about 3.1 per cent of registered Canadians in Lebanon requested assistance.
As the conflict escalates, conflicts continue to erupt in global energy markets.
One of the largest oil producers in Kuwait announced on Saturday that it has implemented a reduction in crude oil production and refining after the attacks in the region and the successful closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Some Gulf countries are also limiting or shutting down oil production as political tensions remain high from the US-Israel war against Iran.
According to Reuters, Iraq’s oil fields have reduced production, Qatar said force majeure with large volumes of gas being exported and the United Arab Emirates would be next to reduce production.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia, a major player in the global oil market, also announced that they were temporarily shutting down oil production.
Analysts warn the cascading shutdown could have a negative impact on global energy markets and Canadian fuel prices, as tensions continue to escalate.
– via files from Reuters and the Associated Press
