# Canadian prof went to Iran when troubles started; now upset Canada isn’t able to get him out **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 23, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053 "2025-06-23T22:39:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/1 "2025-06-23T22:39:40Z")
À Canadian university prof went to Iran when the recent troubles started, because his wife and children were there. Now upset that the Canadian government has limited ability to communicate with him, due to internet blackouts, and isn’t able to do much to get him out of a war zone. I’m sorry that he has worries about his family, but it’s not like the Canadian government can call a timeout on hostilities to let Canadians get out of Iran. > **[B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered ’almost nothing’ to help](https://vancouversun.com/news/sfu-professor-trapped-iran)** > > Simon Fraser University professor Shervin Jannesar says Canadian authorities don't seem to have a plan to deal with the situation. Read on. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/2 "2025-06-23T23:05:15Z")
It’s not uncommon. My brother-in-law was over there with a friend from Mexico, and Mexico told his friend to get out of Iran then contact them to get him home. My B-I-L is still there but he is choosing to stay, at least for now. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/3 "2025-06-23T23:39:37Z")
But he’s not calling out the Mexican government for not being able to pull him out of à war zone. Their advice sounds the same as the Canadian government: get yourself over the border into another country and we may be able to help. Remember, Canada hasn’t had diplomatic relations or consular service with Iran since the Canadian Caper in 1980. Relations with Iran have been frosty ever since. I really don’t see what he expects Canada to do. Send Mark Carney over wearing a CFL referee jersey and blow à timeout whistle? ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/4 "2025-06-23T23:43:18Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I really don’t see what he expects Canada to do. Send Mark Carney over wearing a CFL referee jersey and blow à timeout whistle? It’s a start. Although it would be better if he could send all the players into the penalty box. Elbows up, eh! ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/5 "2025-06-24T07:35:14Z")
Not going to lie at this point I think the Canadian Military can just all go over and rescue him with minimum fuss. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/6 "2025-06-24T09:05:05Z")
My wife is originally Iranian, born in Tehran. Her family emigrated to the US just ahead of the Islamic Revolution (her father is a university professor, and recognized the danger signs; the academics are among the first against the wall when the religious crazies take over), and later naturalized as American citizens. However, they still have family and other connections back in Iran, as do all émigrés. A few of their Americanized friends happened to be visiting Iran, and are now stuck, unable to exit. My wife has a nightly ritual where she goes down the list of contacts, both Iranian residents and the current set of visitors, checking in with everybody to verify their safety. It was initially very upsetting, but it’s settled into a sort of grim routine now. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/7 "2025-06-24T14:01:23Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Not going to lie at this point I think the Canadian Military can just all go over and rescue him with minimum fuss You want Canada to invade Iran, on top of all the other mess going on in and related to that area right now? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/8 "2025-06-24T14:18:00Z")
Could? Yeah, I’m sure they could. Should is a whole different story, because that would have a ton of side-effects, most of which would be decidedly bad for Canada as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/9 "2025-06-24T14:22:28Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I’m sorry that he has worries about his family, but it’s not like the Canadian government can call a timeout on hostilities to let Canadians get out of Iran. I’m always amazed at how entitled some people feel. It’s like, “Whoa, excuse me! I’m here now, so you’ll all have to simply stop while I check on my family and then let us peacefully leave together.” ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/10 "2025-06-24T14:33:12Z")
Yeah, what’s with the whole “But, we’re Canadians!” exceptionalism thing? I thought that was just for us real 'Murricans! ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/11 "2025-06-24T14:40:48Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > the Canadian Military can just all go over and rescue him Maybe they can do an armed incursion to rescue their citizens better than the last time a North American nation tried it. Or maybe they can’t. > **[Operation Eagle Claw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Claw)** > > Central Intelligence Agency > Logistical support: > Operation Eagle Claw (Persian: عملیات پنجه عقاب) was a failed U.S. Department of Defense attempt to rescue 52 embassy staff held captive by Revolutionary Iran on 24 April 1980. It was ordered by US President Jimmy Carter after the staff were seized at the Embassy of the United States, Tehran. The operation, one of Delta Force's first, encountered many obstacles and failures and was subsequently aborted. Eight helicopters were sent to the first ... ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/12 "2025-06-24T14:47:08Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Yeah, what’s with the whole “But, we’re Canadians!” exceptionalism thing? Well, historically speaking, Canada has proven itself **[quite adept](https://moviehistory.substack.com/p/argo-a-canadian-story-which-they)** at sneaking people out of Iran. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/13 "2025-06-24T14:48:36Z")
> Jannesar says he managed to call a Canadian government emergency line but after hours of conversation was initially told to fill in an online form, despite the lack of internet connection. > > “Finally one of the agents kindly did it on phone for me. But after so many back and forth talks they told me that there is almost nothing they can do,” Jannesar said. > > “Their answer to my question of ‘what service (do) you exactly provide in this emergency line?’ was something in lines of: ‘we are answering your questions! And calls! And if you were not a Canadian we were not answering your questions!” > Jannesar says in his email that the Canadian officials he spoke with “were nice and respectful” and he did not want to be “harsh” about them. > > “But there are actually no managerial plans behind it and (it’s) not clear what they offer. It’s not even clear in the wording of their emails that what they do they do or can do,” he said. The dude is more calm then I would be. Stick me in a war zone and you’d better believe that I’d be cursing at any amount of government red tape. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/14 "2025-06-24T14:51:46Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I’m always amazed at how entitled some people feel. It’s like, “Whoa, excuse me! I’m here now, so you’ll all have to simply stop while I check on my family and then let us peacefully leave together.” For the second time in a month, I find my self quoting Rick from _Casablanca_: \* > Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that. Now, now… Here’s looking at you kid. - The fact that this quote keeps coming mind, given its war-time context, is sadly worrying. 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/15 "2025-06-24T14:55:04Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > The dude is more calm then I would be. Stick me in a war zone and you’d better believe that I’d be cursing at any amount of government red tape. His problem isn’t so much red tape as it is the Canadian government literally having no capacity to help him out. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/16 "2025-06-24T14:55:50Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I really don’t see what he expects Canada to do. He probably thinks Argo is a service like Uber. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/17 "2025-06-24T15:02:05Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Stick me in a war zone and you’d better believe that I’d be cursing at any amount of government red tape. What do you think the Canadian government should be doing? The Canadian government can’t improve the internet and telco services in a far away country under bombardment. The Canadian government has no diplomatic or consular services in Iran. In fact it’s warning Canadians not to travel to Iran: > [@](#): > > ### Iran - AVOID ALL TRAVEL > > [Avoid all travel](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iran#levels) to Iran due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws. The Iranian authorities have arrested and/or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments. > > You should leave Iran if you can do so safely. Iranian airspace is closed until further notice, but there are overland crossing options. > > **Our ability to provide consular services in Iran is extremely limited.** > > … > You should leave Iran if you can do so safely. **Canada is unable to provide assistance within Iran, including transportation to the border.** \* It’s possible to cross the land border at the following locations: If the government is warning Canadians not to travel to Iran, saying that they have no ability to aid Canadians in Iran, and a Canadian voluntarily travels to Iran, well … it’s red tape at fault? > **[Travel advice and advisories for Iran](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iran)** > > Travel Advice and Advisories from the Government of Canada ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/18 "2025-06-24T15:04:54Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > His problem isn’t so much red tape as it is the Canadian government literally having no capacity to help him out. Ultimately; yes. My issue would be at all the red tape surrounding the events (having to fill out an online comment form, etc.). If I were in a surprize war-zone situation I don’t think I would be coherent at the offer/suggestion. I’m just not built for that level of stress and fortitude. > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > What do you think the Canadian government should be doing? Legit anything they can. Me and my family are now in a warzone. Whatever level of diplomacy Canada has, use it. Hell, I find his calmness to be quite impressive. I find us mocking him from the safety of our homes (in Canada) to be crass. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/19 "2025-06-24T15:07:57Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Legit anything they can. Me and my family are now in a warzone. Whatever level of diplomacy Canada has, use it. Canada has _no_ level of diplomacy with Iran. Italy talks to Iran on Canada’s behalf, but _Iran can’t answer the phone right now; please try again in a few moments_. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2025, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053/20 "2025-06-24T15:09:42Z")
Am I going to connect the dots here. Canada should get Italy on the phone and if they are coordinating an evacuation allow them passage. This isn’t rocket science. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-prof-went-to-iran-when-troubles-started-now-upset-canada-isn-t-able-to-get-him-out/1020053.md?page=2)