January 15, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
OTTAWA/TEHRAN — A Canadian citizen has died in Iran “at the hands of the Iranian authorities”, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed Thursday, as Tehran’s violent suppression of mass protests continues to draw international condemnation and alarm.
In a statement on social media, Minister Anand said consular officials are in contact with the Canadian’s family and expressed “deepest condolences” to their loved ones during what she described as a “difficult time.” Anand linked the death to a broader pattern of repression, asserting that peaceful protests in Iran have led the regime to flagrantly disregard human life.
Details regarding the circumstances, timing and identity of the deceased have not been disclosed, with Global Affairs Canada citing privacy concerns. The government emphasised its limited capacity to provide consular assistance inside Iran, where Canada has no embassy or formal diplomatic relations, relying instead on operations from its mission in Ankara, Turkey.
The announcement comes amid some of the deadliest unrest Iran has seen in years, as nationwide protests sparked by political and economic discontent persist despite a harsh security crackdown. Rights monitoring groups and diaspora networks have reported thousands of deaths and thousands more arrests in clashes between protestors and security forces, with state authorities imposing internet blackouts and resisting independent verification of casualty figures.
Canadian officials have urged citizens in Iran to leave the country “if it is safe to do so,” noting that more than 3,000 Canadians and permanent residents were registered in Iran, a figure that may undercount the true number due to voluntary registration.
Ottawa’s statement also condemned the Iranian regime’s use of lethal force against demonstrators and demanded a halt to violence. The development further intensifies diplomatic pressure on Tehran, which faces mounting criticism from Western allies, including Belgium, New Zealand and members of the G7, for its handling of internal dissent.
The death of a foreign national at the hands of Iranian authorities underscores the human rights and security risks foreign citizens face amid the ongoing unrest. As the crisis evolves, it is likely to strain Iran’s already limited international relations even further.