Shervin Jannesar, an engineering lecturer at Simon Fraser University, says he and his family remain trapped in Iran without clear support from the Canadian government.
He traveled to Iran to reunite with his wife and two infant children. They arrived before Israel launched airstrikes, but the situation worsened after U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Iran closed its airspace, cutting off any safe exit.
“There’s no way out,” Jannesar said during a short window of internet access at 3:45 a.m. Sunday, when he emailed The Canadian Press.
Calls from outside the country don’t go through, and internet service remains limited or blocked.
Jannesar spent hours trying to reach Canada’s emergency helpline. When he finally connected, officials told him to fill out an online form—nearly impossible without internet. One agent eventually helped him complete the form over the phone.
“They told me there is almost nothing they can do,” he said.
When Jannesar asked what services the emergency line actually offers, the agent replied, “We are answering your questions and calls. And if you were not a Canadian, we would not be answering your questions.”
Jannesar described the staff as polite and respectful but said the process lacked any solid structure.
“There’s no clear plan behind it,” he said. “Their emails don’t explain what they can do or what they’re offering.”
On that same day, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand held a rare phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Former Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak said this might be the first official contact between Ottawa and Tehran in years.
Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012. Since then, it has relied on staff based in neighboring countries like Turkey. The government stationed four buses at the Iran–Turkey border to assist with any future evacuations.
Horak said those buses are likely the only practical step Canada can take right now, given the absence of diplomats in Iran.
Canadians in Iran are facing fuel shortages, internet blockages, and unsafe roads while trying to reach land borders.
Despite these conditions, Jannesar continues teaching.
In a message to his students, sent before the U.S. airstrikes, he wrote, “As you can most likely hear in my lecture nine recording, it is literally like a war zone with explosions coming around every now and then.”
One student shared that message online to raise awareness. Simon Fraser University confirmed Jannesar’s situation and said a second faculty member crossed into Turkey safely. The school said it could not provide the lecture recording because it is only available to enrolled students.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation,” said an SFU spokesperson. “The safety and well-being of our SFU community members remain our top priority.”
The university asked staff to contact Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre and its international security provider for help.
“Very few options for departure exist right now,” the university noted.
Jannesar said he had no internet for days before briefly gaining access to send his update.
Global Affairs Canada reports that about 5,500 Canadians have registered their presence in Iran. Experts believe the actual number could be much higher.
The government advises Canadians in Iran, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank to stay close to bomb shelters or secure buildings.
Jannesar and his family continue waiting for help. They have no answers and no safe way out.
