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At a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Carney was asked if he could definitively say Canada would not get involved militarily in the conflict in the Middle East. 

"One can never categorically rule out participation," Carney replied. "We will stand by our allies when it makes sense."

Carney and Albanese were also asked if they were troubled by the expansion of the conflict, particularly given Carney's recent calls for de-escalation. 

Carney said while he wants to see a "broader de-escalation" of hostilities, that cannot be achieved unless Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons and export terrorism is eliminated. 

"While many are afraid of the bombings, others believe the situation cannot get worse than what they have already experienced," she said in a voice note. "We’re all afraid. But you know, I think all people have reached a point, especially after the massacres [of protesters in January], that they think it wouldn't be worse than this.

"The whole situation is full of contradictions: there's fear on one side and hope on the other side."

She said the authorities have been urging people to leave the capital, Tehran, and warning those who stay that they could be targeted if they go out on the street.

"They are bothered that people are not leaving. Therefore, they have started threatening the people. Like, we’ve been getting text messages that say if you come out of your house, we've got the right to shoot. They specifically don't say 'shoot.' They say, 'We would confront without mercy.'"

Another reporter asked Anand whether Israel or the U.S. Have given Canada any assurances that they won't bomb roadways as people try to flee the region.

"The assurances are not ones we are utilizing to guide any of this advice," she said.

The minister said the general advice is still to shelter in place, but the government is putting options in place for those who wish to leave.

Earlier, Anand said Canada is trying to co-ordinate evacuations with other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom. In response to a request for more details on what that co-ordination looks like, Anand said it means the countries will share any leftover space on their flights.

"If there's space on their planes and there's Canadians who want to leave the region, then they will offer that space up and we will do the same," she said.

Anand said Canadians in the Middle East should register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service if they haven't done so already. She said the government uses the free service to notify Canadians abroad about emergencies in their location or those at home.

Canadians who are looking for help to leave the region can also call 613-996-8885 or email SOS@international.gc.ca.

In response to a question about charter flights for citizens out of U.A.E., Anand said Canada is hoping to confirm the contracts in the next 72 hours. 

"The key upshot of this update is that we have three specific options that we are sourcing for Canadians," the minister said. "The availability of those options will largely depend on the particular country [Canadians are currently in.]"

Anand said Canadians in the Middle East should register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service if they haven't done so already. She said the government uses the free service to notify Canadians abroad about emergencies in their location or those at home.

Anand says 74 Canadians in Iran have asked for Ottawa's help to leave

At an update on Ottawa's response to the Middle East conflict, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said 74 of the almost 3,000 registered Canadians in Iran have requested assistance in leaving. Anand said the government is unable to arrange ground transportation due to a lack of diplomatic presence there but it has stationed additional consular help in neighbouring countries for any Canadians who can get to the border.

Anand said there are no flights for the 93 Canadians requesting help in Israel. The country is running a bus service to take those citizens to Egypt, she said. 

There are 74 Canadians looking for help in Iran. The minister said there is no ability to arrange ground transportation because Canada doesn't have a diplomatic presence there.

"We have, however, stationed additional consular help in neighbouring countries who can meet Canadians and help with visa requirements if they can get to the border.

"Please only attempt to drive to the border when it is safe to do so," Anand said.

In Lebanon, around 164 Canadians have asked for assistance. Seventy-five were on the flight that left this morning, and there's room for 200 more in the coming days.

In Qatar, 237 Canadians are looking for help, Anand says. Airspace in the country is closed with no options to fly in or out, but Anand said Qatar Airlines is arranging bus transportation to take 200 Canadians with existing tickets to Saudi Arabia to catch a flight out.

"I do want to point out that any ground transportation carries risk," she noted. "Catching a bus with missiles flying overhead is terrifying."

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