Arash Ghaderi’s life changed dramatically when he woke up to his wife telling him that a war had started. The couple, who were visiting family in Iran, found themselves caught in the middle of a conflict that erupted on June 13, when Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and military leaders.
On that first day of the war, Ghaderi and his wife heard bombings and low-flying jets. It was terrifying. They were in Zanjan, a city about 300 kilometers northwest of Tehran, where his wife’s family was present. The fear was palpable as her relatives, including young children, cried in distress. Ghaderi recalled feeling a mix of shock and a strong urge to vomit while trying to comfort his wife.
The conflict has had devastating consequences. Iranian officials reported 606 deaths and over 5,300 injuries in Iran, while Israel faced at least 28 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries. A ceasefire was announced shortly after, but the situation remains tense.
As the war unfolded, the Canadian government advised its citizens in Iran to leave if it was safe to do so. Ghaderi and his wife decided to exit the country through a land border after all flights were canceled. They endured a grueling seven-hour van ride to Turkey, followed by a 28-hour journey by bus across Turkish cities to reach Istanbul, as domestic flights were fully booked.
Finally, they managed to board a flight to Edmonton, stopping in Paris and Toronto along the way, and arrived back in Canada on June 23. While Ghaderi felt relief at being safe, he was also worried about his family still in Iran, including his younger brother.
The Iranian Students Association at the University of Alberta has noted that around 15 students were stranded in Iran during the conflict. Sara Shani, the association’s president, highlighted the challenges faced by these students, as many of their families were unable to support them financially due to the war’s impact on the Iranian economy. The conflict has made it difficult for families to send money to their loved ones abroad, especially during internet shutdowns and business closures in Iran.
Shani also expressed her own struggles to contact her family during the war, emphasizing the emotional toll on Iranian students in Canada. Many of them have only recently left Iran to study, and their ties to their homeland remain strong.
The Iranian community in Canada is experiencing mixed feelings about the conflict. Some members see a potential weakening of the oppressive Iranian regime as a positive outcome, while others fear the consequences of further escalation. Ali Nejati, president of the Iranian Student Association at Humber College, acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that while many feel relief at the regime’s weakening, they also recognize that war is not a desirable solution.
The situation remains fluid, with the conflict having far-reaching implications for those both in Iran and abroad.