In new hostile move, Canada designates anti-terror IRGC as 'terrorist group'

In yet another hostile move against Iran, Canada has designated the country’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which is credited for its domestic and regional anti-terror endeavor, as a “terrorist organization.”

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement on Wednesday, saying Ottawa had listed the IRGC “as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code."

Last month, the Canadian House of Commons adopted a non-binding resolution calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to blacklist the IRGC and expel an estimated 700 Iranians.

Reacting to the motion at the time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani called it "unwise," and highlighted the role, which the IRGC played in countering threats against the Islamic Republic, and its part in confronting terrorism in the region.

Iran strongly condemns 'unwise' Canadian motion against IRGC

Iran has hit out at an "unwise" motion at the Canadian House which calls on the Ottawa government to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group.

“This irresponsible step is in line with the mistaken path that Canadian lawmakers have been following over the past decade under the influence of the Zionist regime [of Israel] and certain groups that are outcasts and lack any status and value,” Kan'ani added.

The country broke off diplomatic ties with Iran and closed its Tehran embassy in a surprise move in 2012, citing various reasons, including Iran’s support for Syria, its nuclear work, and alleged threats to the Israeli regime.

In the same year, however, Ottawa took off the anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) from its list of terrorist organizations.

Moment of reckoning: Iranian judiciary's notice to MKO terror cult members

Last week, the Branch 1 of Tehran’s criminal court announced that 104 fugitive members of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MKO) terrorist group must introduce their attorneys to the court to represent the cases of their clients.

The delisting came after around a decade of campaigning and expenditure of millions of dollars by the cult, which has openly boasted about carrying out terrorist operations against thousands of Iranian officials and civilians.

Canada is also said to be eyed upon as a potential destination for the MKO, which is reportedly falling out with the authorities and the police in Albania, which hosts its current camp.

MKO terrorist ringleaders plan to relocate members from Albania to Canada: Report

Ringleaders of the terrorist MKO group are reportedly making arrangements for the relocation of members from Albania.

In 2022, Iran's Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on eight Canadian officials and one institution over their support for anti-Iran terrorists and acts of terror among other things.

The ministry announced the sanctions in a statement on November 3 that year, saying it had adopted the measures over, inter alia, the targeted individuals' support for the MKO.

Iran sanctions several Canadian officials, entity over 'terror support'

Iran imposes sanctions on eight Canadian persons and one institution over "terror support".

The North American country has also been serving, for years, as a safe haven for Iranian embezzlers, who have fled there safe in the knowledge that Ottawa would not take the trouble to extradite them.

These include Mahmoud Reza Khavari, a former Iranian banker, who fled to Canada after a $2.6-billion financial fraud came to light in 2011.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir