New Delhi, Jan. 13 -- As the New Year 2026 began, Canada updated its country-wise travel alert for its citizens, advising Canadians to avoid travelling to a list of countries, including Iran and Venezuela, due to political tensions, flight disruptions, and internal protests.

In its advisory, Canada has asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Iran because of the ongoing nationwide demonstrations, tensions in the region, "the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws".

Canada highlighted that 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 s...