Canadian police have stated that there is currently no immediate danger to Canada following the consequences of the United States' strike on Iran. This information was updated on March 1, 2026 at 4:01PM EST.

Date of publication: March 01, 2026 at 11:57AM EST

Trump has announced a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, referring to it as "major combat operations." The prime minister of Canada, Carney, expressed explicit support for this attack, which some see as a significant change in targeting compared to previous attacks. Ham characterized the U.S. attack on Iran as a "war of choice," while Ret. Gen. suggested that Canada would play a limited role in the Middle East conflict following the attack. Despite ongoing conflict in Iran, Canadian police chiefs have stated that there are currently no immediate threats to Canada or its citizens.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has advised Canadians to stay alert, but has mentioned that there are currently no alerts indicating issues as the airstrikes in Iran continue for a second day.

History has shown that times of political conflict can lead to extremist groups, individuals driven by hate, or other threats taking advantage of the situation to provoke violence fueled by hate. Despite the lack of a particular threat currently, being alert and reporting any suspicious activity early on are key for preventing such incidents.

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel carried out a significant military operation in the Middle East, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The police leaders have issued a statement regarding concerns raised by experts about potential transnational repression. There are worries that the Islamic Republic might target individuals within the Iranian diaspora as a form of retaliation.

Located to the north of Toronto, a boxing gym belonging to a well-known Iranian Canadian activist was targeted in a shooting incident during the night.

Salar Gholami, the main person in charge of organizing large protests in Iran, has reported that his gym in Thornhill, Ontario was shot at with 17 bullets. This gym has been a central location for planning and coordinating solidarity marches for Iran.

He expressed that the windows were shattered and bullets had pierced through the walls, reaching the concrete. According to spokesperson Pouria Afkhami, he mentioned that this indicates that the area is no longer secure for Canadians.

According to Gholami, he thinks his gym was singled out because of his advocacy work, and he claimed that those behind the shooting are associated with the Islamic Republic. He mentioned that he receives frequent threats against his safety.

Authorities are currently looking into a shooting incident that took place at a business location in the region. However, the reason behind the shooting has not yet been determined.

During Khamenei's leadership, Iran was known for responding aggressively to Western countries through cyberattacks targeting important infrastructure, harassment online, and attempts to assassinate individuals.

According to Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa's school of public and international affairs, Canada should pay attention to transnational repression and the persecution of Iranian-Canadian dissidents, as well as human rights and democracy advocates.

Juneau stated that in order to survive at home, it is important to counter any activism against the regime happening abroad. It is unlikely that these two aspects can be separated.

According to Sajjan Gohel, who is the director of international security at the Asia Pacific Foundation, Iran may potentially use its connections with organized crime groups to threaten and harm the Iranian diaspora, possibly even attempting to carry out acts of violence.

Iran has responded to the airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and Israel by launching missile and drone attacks on both Israel and Arab Gulf countries that have U.S. troops stationed there.

Countless travelers have been left in chaos as the conflict in the region has caused major disruptions to air travel in the Middle East.

Air Canada has decided to stop operating flights from Canada to Tel Aviv until March 8, as well as suspending flights to Dubai until Tuesday.

The airline advises against going to the airport if you are located in either of these regions.

The biggest flight hub in Canada, Toronto's Pearson Airport, is alerting travelers about potential delays and flight cancellations because of extensive airspace closures. They recommend that passengers confirm the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

The dispute has caused the closure of airports and international airspace over multiple countries including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Authorities at Dubai International Airport, which is the biggest airport in the United Arab Emirates and among the most hectic globally, announced that four individuals sustained injuries. Moreover, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi stated that one person had died and seven others were injured due to a drone attack. Similar incidents were also noted at Kuwait International Airport.

Over 1,800 flights were called off on Sunday, affecting countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt. It is likely that there will be more flight cancellations in the following days.

Canada is advising people to stay away from traveling to certain areas in the Middle East due to the recent conflict that started on Saturday. These areas include Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Syria, and Yemen.

Canadians are being advised to refrain from traveling to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for reasons that are not considered essential.

The information was provided by Kathryn Mannie of The Canadian Press.

Information has been obtained from The Associated Press.

On March 1, 2026, The Canadian Press released this report for the first time.

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With Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, there is uncertainty about who is currently leading Iran.

The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel has left a void of power within the heart of the Iranian government, leading to a difficult search for his replacement.

In almost fifty years, the Islamic Republic has only seen one change in its supreme leader. Khamenei took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 and did not name a successor before his death.

On Sunday, a group of three individuals was established to temporarily lead in place of Khamenei until a new successor is selected. However, with the continued US-Israeli strikes happening, it is uncertain how long this interim leadership will last.

Here is some information that you should be aware of.

Currently, a three-person leadership council is governing in Iran until a new supreme leader is appointed as per the constitution. This council consists of the president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a senior cleric, Alireza Arafi.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the influential speaker of Iran's parliament, stated that the government had anticipated and made plans for the current situation.

He expressed that the creation of a leadership council would lead to a substantial increase in power and unity.

The bombing attacks on Saturday resulted in the deaths of many top military leaders in Iran, including their chief of staff, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Defense Council secretary. Israel says that a large number of Iran's senior military officials were killed in the strikes.

After Khomeini passed away in 1989, Khamenei was quickly appointed as his successor without the need for a transition council. However, due to continuous US-Israeli strikes, the process of naming Khamenei's successor is expected to be delayed.

Before a permanent council is established, the current temporary council needs to choose whether to keep allowing Ali Larijani, Iran's top national security official, and Ghalibaf to make decisions regarding defense. These two men, along with Shamkhani who was a former navy rear admiral killed in recent strikes, were in charge of leading Iran's defense during the 12-day war with Israel in June.

The new leader will be chosen by a group of 88 senior clerics called the Assembly of Experts to replace Khamenei.

Every eight years, the Iranian public elects members of the Assembly of Experts, who are then scrutinized by the Guardian Council – a group of 12 legal experts that monitors the parliament's actions in Iran.

During times of stability, the Guardian Council reviews legislation from the parliament to ensure it aligns with sharia law, often requesting changes. The council also gives its approval for candidates running for parliament, the presidency, and the Assembly of Experts.

The Guardian Council has a reputation for eliminating potential candidates for the position of president. In preparation for the 2021 election, more than 600 individuals were deemed ineligible by the council, which included all female candidates and notable figures like Larijani, a high-ranking national security official.

According to Sanam Vakil, who is in charge of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, the Assembly of Experts may not meet until the US and Israel stop their activities. She stated that they cannot afford to put the institution at risk of more harm and casualties. This was mentioned during an interview with CNN.

Which individuals are competing for power?

Mojtaba, the second son of Khamenei, is an important figure who has close connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force in Iran. However, since the Shiite clerical establishment came to power by replacing the Iranian monarchy, they may not want a continuation of father-to-son succession.

Alireza Arafi, a Shiite cleric, was recently added to the transition council. He has been appointed to high-ranking positions by Khamenei and is considered a serious candidate. Arafi serves as the deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts and is part of the Guardian Council, which allows him to approve his own candidacy. Additionally, he is in charge of Iran's seminary system.

Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri is a candidate for the Assembly of Experts and is aligned with the conservative section of the clerical establishment. Another candidate in the running is Hassan Khomeini, a grandson of Khomeini who is considered to be less rigid in his beliefs compared to others.

Surprises could still happen in the regime's decision-making process, such as choosing a younger or less famous individual, or even forming a leadership council instead of appointing a single person.

According to Vakil from Chatham House, the conflict between strict conservatives and reformists will likely persist even after Khamenei's passing.

She mentioned that changes in leadership often benefit conservative and security-focused groups in the beginning. Discussions about the country's future are probably taking place among a small, select group rather than in the public eye. Reform-minded politicians should seize this opportunity if they want to make a difference.

Discussing the possibility of a change in government leadership, US President Donald Trump encouraged the people of Iran to rise up against their government. In a video on Truth Social, he advised the Iranians to seize the opportunity to take control of their own government, stating it may be their only chance for many years. Trump also warned the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) to surrender their weapons or risk facing fatal consequences.

As of now, even though there have been some instances of festivities, there is not much indication that Iranians are engaging in street protests to overthrow the remaining parts of the government. Additionally, there is no evidence of high-ranking officials within the security forces defecting. Trump mentioned to CBS News that there are potential leaders who could replace the current regime, although he did not specify who they are.

Reza Pahlavi, the oldest son of the former shah of Iran who was removed from power during the 1979 revolution, is being considered as a possible future leader. Pahlavi was only 16 years old when his father was overthrown, and he has been residing in the United States ever since. Some analysts believe that he may have support from Israel.

However, a hindrance is the absence of a replacement force ready to assume control in Iran, as noted by David Petraeus, a retired General in the US Army and former Director of the CIA.

According to Petraeus, the difficulty lies in the fact that there is no prominent leader like Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria, who had a strong military force and was able to overthrow the weakened regime of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Robin Wright, a writer for the New Yorker, has spoken with Khamenei, and she mentioned to CNN that Iran has many young leaders like Nelson Mandela, but lacks a well-established organization like the African National Congress in South Africa. Unlike South Africa, Iran has not had the time to form a strong infrastructure, define an alternative to their current system, or determine who would lead such a movement.

In Iran currently, power is expected to be wielded by the IRGC, as many leaders in the country have been removed. The IRGC has been supporting the regime for many years and is accountable only to the supreme leader. Their role includes not only fighting external threats but also maintaining control within Iran.

The IRGC's influence goes beyond just its military strength. A lot of Iran's wealthy individuals, who have profited from having access to the government's centers of authority during times of sanctions, have key roles within the IRGC. This could give the IRGC substantial power in the selection of the next supreme leader.

The IRGC, also known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was formed to protect the Islamic revolution and the government that resulted from it. Several paramilitary groups that were involved in overthrowing the shah of Iran came together to form the IRGC after 1979. Despite early efforts to integrate it into the national army, the IRGC solidified its influence during its participation in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Currently, the military force consists of approximately 150,000 to 190,000 soldiers. It includes branches such as the army, navy, air force, and intelligence division, and it has integrated into various sectors of Iran's economy.

Despite the assumption that numerous high-ranking officials of the organization were killed in the recent attacks, the IRGC continues to be in charge of the Basij, a group that functions similar to a local law enforcement agency by patrolling the streets and handling domestic matters.

The Basij, a volunteer group, is named after the meaning "mobilization" in Farsi. It recruits members from different parts of the country, particularly those from lower-income and more traditional backgrounds. Their main roles include supporting the government and promoting Islamic values in society.

In a time of great danger, the Iranian government is working swiftly and secretly to maintain unity and show that they are still operating smoothly, according to Vakil from Chatham House. It is uncertain if their actions will be effective.

Leila Gharagozlou from CNN provided information for this report.

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With the death of the supreme leader in Iran, questions arise about who is currently in charge of the country

The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel has left a gap in leadership within the Iranian government, leading to the search for his replacement.

Since nearly fifty years ago, the Islamic Republic has only had one new supreme leader. Khamenei took over after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, and he died without naming a successor.

On Sunday, a council with three members was established to govern until a successor to Khamenei is selected. However, the duration of this interim period is uncertain due to the ongoing US-Israeli strikes.

Here's the information you should be aware of.

At the moment, a three-person leadership council is in control according to Iran's constitution until a new supreme leader is chosen. This council consists of the moderate president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the hard-line head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a senior cleric, Alireza Arafi.

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, expressed confidence in the regime's readiness for any situation, stating that they had taken necessary precautions and preparations for such moments.

He mentioned that the creation of a leadership council will bring about a remarkable strength and unity.

Unexpectedly, Iran has suffered the loss of a number of high-ranking officials simultaneously. Israel has reported that many of Iran's top military leaders were killed in airstrikes on Saturday. This includes Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the Chief of Staff of the armed forces; Major General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; and Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of Iran's Defense Council.

After Khomeini's death in 1989, Khamenei was quickly named as his successor without the need for a transition council, due to the Iran-Iraq War lasting most of the decade. However, with ongoing US-Israeli strikes, the process of naming Khamenei's successor is expected to take longer.

Before then, the temporary council needs to make a decision on whether to keep allowing Ali Larijani, Iran's chief national security official, and Ghalibaf to handle defense decisions. Both men were in charge of Iran's defense during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, along with Shamkhani, a former navy rear admiral who died in the recent attacks on Saturday.

The new leader will be chosen by a group of 88 senior clerics called the Assembly of Experts instead of by a single individual.

Every eight years, the Iranian public elects the members of the Assembly of Experts. These members are carefully reviewed and approved by the Guardian Council, a group of 12 legal experts responsible for monitoring the activities of Iran's parliament.

During regular circumstances, the Guardian Council reviews legislation passed by the parliament to ensure it follows sharia law and may request changes. It is also responsible for vetting candidates for parliament, the presidency, and the Assembly of Experts.

This organization is infamous for excluding individuals from running for president. Before the 2021 election, the Guardian Council rejected more than 600 applicants, which included all female candidates and well-known figures like Larijani, who held a high-ranking national security position.

According to Sanam Vakil, who is the head of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, the Assembly of Experts may not meet until the US and Israel stop their activities. She stated that they do not want to risk more harm to the institution in terms of casualties and destruction.

Which individuals are competing for power? Mojtaba, the second son of Khamenei, is an important figure with close connections to the IRGC and Basij. However, the Shiite clerical establishment, which overthrew the Iranian monarchy, may not prefer a hereditary transfer of power from father to son.

Alireza Arafi, a Shiite religious leader, was chosen to be part of the transition council on Sunday. He has held important positions appointed by Khamenei and is considered a powerful candidate. Arafi serves as the deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts and is a member of the Guardian Council, allowing him to review his own candidacy. Additionally, he is in charge of Iran's seminary system.

One of the candidates in the Assembly of Experts is Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, who aligns with the conservative faction of the clerical establishment. Another potential candidate is Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Khomeini and perceived to be more moderate compared to his counterparts.

There is a possibility of unexpected outcomes. The government might choose a younger and less famous individual, or possibly a group of leaders instead of just one person.

According to Vakil from Chatham House, the conflict between those who hold rigid beliefs and those who advocate for change will not end when Khamenei passes away.

According to her, times of leadership change usually benefit more conservative and security-focused groups, at least in the beginning. Discussions about the country's future are likely taking place behind closed doors among a select group of influential individuals, rather than in the public eye. For politicians looking to make reforms, this is a crucial moment where they must act decisively.

US President Donald Trump encouraged the people of Iran to seize control of their government and make it their own in a video posted on Truth Social. He also warned the IRGC to surrender their weapons or face grave consequences.

As of now, there have been some instances of celebration but it doesn't seem like Iranians are protesting on the streets to overthrow the remaining part of the regime. Similarly, there haven't been any indications of elites within the security establishment defecting. Trump mentioned to CBS News that there are potential candidates to assume power, without specifying any names.

After the overthrow of his father in the 1979 revolution, Reza Pahlavi, the oldest son of the former shah of Iran, has been considered as a possible future leader. Pahlavi, who was just 16 at the time of his father's removal, has been residing in the United States since then. Speculation has arisen that he may have support from Israel.

One issue that arises is the lack of another opposing force ready to assume control in Iran, according to David Petraeus, a former US Army general and ex-CIA director.

Petraeus told CNN that the challenge in this situation is the absence of a strong military leader like Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria, who was able to overthrow Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024.

Robin Wright, a writer who contributes to the New Yorker and has interviewed Khamenei, stated in an interview with CNN that while Iran has many young individuals striving for change, they lack an organized opposition group comparable to the African National Congress in South Africa during the fight against apartheid. This absence of a well-established infrastructure and defined leadership makes it challenging for Iran to envision and work towards a clear alternative to the current regime.

Currently, in Iran, power is expected to be wielded by the IRGC due to the absence of many top leaders. The IRGC has played a significant role in supporting the regime for many years and is accountable only to the supreme leader. Besides dealing with external threats, the IRGC is also responsible for maintaining domestic order.

The IRGC's influence goes beyond just their military capabilities. A lot of wealthy individuals in Iran, who have gained advantages from having access to the government's resources during times of sanctions, also have influential roles within the IRGC. This could give them a significant amount of control over the selection of the next supreme leader.

The IRGC was formed after the Islamic revolution in Iran to protect the new regime. It was created from different paramilitary groups that played a role in overthrowing the previous shah. Despite initial efforts to merge it with the regular army, the IRGC solidified its authority during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Currently, the military of Iran consists of approximately 150,000 to 190,000 troops, with divisions in the army, navy, air force, and intelligence services. Additionally, it plays a significant role in Iran's civilian economy.

Despite the assumption that several of its top leaders were killed in the recent airstrikes, the IRGC continues to supervise the Basij, which functions as a visible, street-level, domestic police force.

The Basij, which means "mobilization" in Farsi, is a volunteer organization that recruits members from various parts of the country, particularly those from lower-income and more conservative backgrounds. Their main responsibilities include supporting the government and promoting Islamic values within society.

In a time of great danger, the Iranian government is working discreetly to avoid falling apart and to show that there is still stability. It is uncertain if their actions will prove to be effective.

Leila Gharagozlou from CNN helped provide information for this report.

This content belongs to Cable News Network, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights are reserved for CNN Sans, a trademark of Cable News Network created in 2016.

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