Canada has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist” entity and has advised its citizens in Iran to depart.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Ottawa stating that this move would aid in countering terrorist financing.
According to a statement by the Canadian government, “The decision to list the IRGC through the Criminal Code listing regime sends a strong message that Canada will use all tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist activity of the IRGC, conducted both unilaterally and in knowing association with listed terrorist entities such as Hezbollah and Hamas.”
Iran responded by condemning Canada’s action, calling it “an unwise and unconventional politically motivated step,” as reported by Fars news agency.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, asserted that Canada’s decision would not diminish the IRGC’s legitimate and deterrent capabilities, while also reserving Iran’s right to respond appropriately to the listing.
The Canadian opposition, led by the Conservatives, has long pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to blacklist the IRGC. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc justified the decision, citing Iran’s consistent disregard for human rights domestically and internationally, and its disruptive actions against the international rules-based order.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly advised against travel to Iran due to heightened risks of arbitrary detention. She urged Canadians already in Iran to return home and cautioned those planning visits against doing so.
Canada’s listing requires its financial institutions to freeze any assets belonging to the IRGC and prohibits its citizens from engaging in financial transactions with the group. The United States had previously designated the IRGC as a “terrorist” organization in 2019.
