Iran has declared the Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organisation in response to Canada’s decision to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, escalating already tense relations between the two countries.
Iran’s foreign ministry has announced a reciprocal measure against Canada by designating the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organisation, following Ottawa’s move to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity under Canadian law.
In a statement dated 30 December, the ministry described Canada’s June 2024 listing of the IRGC as an illegal and politically motivated step that violates international law and the principles of state sovereignty. Tehran said the IRGC is an official branch of Iran’s armed forces and cannot legitimately be treated as a non state actor.
The statement said Iran was acting on the basis of a 2019 domestic law that mandates countermeasures against states which follow or support the United States in designating the IRGC as terrorist. Under that framework, the Royal Canadian Navy is now to be treated by Iran as a terrorist organisation, with the foreign ministry promising to apply reciprocal measures within that legal and political context.
Canada listed the IRGC in June 2024 under its Criminal Code, citing what officials described as the group’s record of supporting militant organisations, involvement in regional attacks and human rights abuses. The designation makes it a criminal offence in Canada to provide material support to the IRGC and allows authorities to freeze assets linked to the organisation.
Tehran rejected those accusations in its new statement, arguing that Ottawa’s measure was taken under U.S. pressure and framed it as another example of Western hostility towards the Islamic Republic. Iranian officials insisted that, in their view, the burden of responsibility lies with Canada for undermining the rights of Iranian citizens abroad and for what they called selective use of counterterrorism tools.
While Iran’s designation of the Royal Canadian Navy is largely symbolic, it signals a further deterioration in relations between the two countries, which have had no formal diplomatic ties since 2012. Analysts note that Iran has limited direct leverage over Canadian military assets, but the move could complicate any future consular contacts and add to tensions over issues such as human rights, sanctions enforcement and regional security.
The exchange of terrorist labels underscores how counterterrorism lists have become a tool in wider political confrontations. With both sides now accusing elements of the other’s security apparatus of terrorism, the gap between Tehran and Ottawa appears to be widening, leaving little immediate prospect for a reset in relations.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Ho...
European carmakers have urged the European Union to make sure new “Made in EU” rules do not put existing investments in Türkiye and Morocco at ri...
A record-breaking heatwave spread across the eastern U.S. on Wednesday (1 July), placing tens of millions of people under heat alerts just days before...
A powerful heatwave sweeping across Europe has triggered deadly conditions, with authorities issuing urgent warnings as extreme temperatures continue ...
When NATO leaders gather in Ankara on 7-8 July, defence spending will dominate the agenda. The summit come as all NATO members for the first time have...
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 2nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
When NATO leaders gather in Ankara on 7-8 July, defence spending will dominate the agenda. The summit come as all NATO members for the first time have spent at least 2 per cent of gross domestic produce (GDP) on defence, a target which was adopted in 2014.
The European Union will provide up to €200 million in grant funding to improve transport, energy and digital links across the South Caucasus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during a visit to Baku on Wednesday.
At least 10 people were killed and 56 others injured after Russia launched a large overnight drone and missile attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. Residential buildings were hit across the capital, while a hotel on the city's central Shevchenko Boulevard caught fire.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from being broadcast through mosque loudspeakers, according to local media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment