Canada Labels Iran’s IRGC as Terrorist Group
Iran has criticized Canada’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, calling it an “unwise and unconventional politically motivated step,” according to Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported on Thursday. Kanaani stated that this action by Canada would not impact the IRGC’s “legitimate and deterrent power,” and that Tehran reserved the right to respond accordingly.
On Wednesday, Canada officially listed the IRGC as a terrorist group, a move that may lead to investigations into former senior Iranian officials residing in Canada. This follows a similar decision made by the US in 2019, accusing the IRGC of orchestrating a global terrorist campaign, a claim Tehran vehemently denies, maintaining that the IRGC is a national security institution.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc emphasized Canada’s commitment to combating terrorism, stating, “Canada will use all possible tools to combat terrorist activities carried out by the IRGC,” citing “very strong and compelling evidence.” Opposition legislators had long advocated for this listing, but the Liberal government had previously hesitated, citing potential unintended consequences. LeBlanc noted that the decision was made based on legal advice and security services, not political pressure.
The IRGC, a dominant force in Iran, manages a vast business empire and elite military units, including the Quds Force, which Canada had already listed as a terrorist group. Canada severed diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2012. LeBlanc mentioned that current and former senior Iranian officials in Canada might face investigations and removal, although details were not provided. Designating a group as a terrorist organization allows for the freezing of assets and legal action against those who provide financial or material support. In October 2022, Canada announced it would ban top IRGC leaders from entering the country and promised further targeted sanctions.
