Canada Lists Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorist Group
On Wednesday, Ottawa officially listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision, citing the IRGC's support for terrorism and human rights violations. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged Canadians in Iran to return home. The terrorism listing restricts the IRGC members from entering Canada and freezes their assets. This decision follows appeals from victims' families of Flight PS752, which was downed by Iran in 2020, killing 176 people, including 85 Canadians.
On Wednesday, Ottawa officially listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision, backed by the foreign and justice ministers, citing the IRGC's support for terrorism, human rights violations, and destabilizing international order.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged Canadians in Iran to return home, referencing Canada's past diplomatic break with Tehran.
The terrorism listing restricts the IRGC members from entering Canada and freezes their assets.
The move follows longstanding appeals from Iranian expats and victims' families of Flight PS752, which was downed by Iran in 2020, killing 176 people, including 85 Canadians.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration had previously hesitated over concerns of unintended impacts on anti-regime Iranians in Canada.
Canada joins nearly 80 other entities, including Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, on the blacklist.
The U.S. labeled the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2019, and the EU sanctioned them earlier this month.
Canada's decision coincides with ongoing international legal actions against Iran over the Flight PS752 tragedy, which Tehran attributes to a mistaken missile strike.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland condemned Iran's regime as brutal and repressive.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision, backed by the foreign and justice ministers, citing the IRGC's support for terrorism, human rights violations, and destabilizing international order.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged Canadians in Iran to return home, referencing Canada's past diplomatic break with Tehran.
The terrorism listing restricts the IRGC members from entering Canada and freezes their assets.
The move follows longstanding appeals from Iranian expats and victims' families of Flight PS752, which was downed by Iran in 2020, killing 176 people, including 85 Canadians.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration had previously hesitated over concerns of unintended impacts on anti-regime Iranians in Canada.
Canada joins nearly 80 other entities, including Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, on the blacklist.
The U.S. labeled the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2019, and the EU sanctioned them earlier this month.
Canada's decision coincides with ongoing international legal actions against Iran over the Flight PS752 tragedy, which Tehran attributes to a mistaken missile strike.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland condemned Iran's regime as brutal and repressive.
