Canada imposes further sanctions against Iran

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

September 18, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

Today’s announcement follows the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, who died while in the custody of Iran’s so-called morality police on September 16, 2022. Iranian authorities had detained her for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code.

The sanctions apply to five Iranian political figures responsible for the design and implementation of repressive policies, including the violent repression of protesters.

The five individuals are:

  • Mohammad Mokhber
  • Gholam Hossein Esmaili
  • Seyyed Masoud Mirkazemi
  • Siamak Rahpeik
  • Ahmad-Reza Radan

Canada is imposing these sanctions in coordination with Australia and the United States. The three countries are taking similar action this week in response to the acceleration of Iran’s repressive measures against women and its brutal crackdown on citizen demonstrations, as well as its ongoing grave breach of international peace and security.

Canada will continue to increase pressure on Iran and implement further measures for as long as Iran continues its abhorrent conduct. Canada’s measures includes designating Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the State Immunity Act, listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code and implementing sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act and the United Nations Act to impose dealing restrictions and freeze assets held in Canada.

Quotes

“Today’s sanctions send another clear message to Iran: We cannot and will not remain silent while Iran continues its disregard for the human rights of its people. Canada and its allies will not hesitate to take action against Iran’s repressive and discriminatory laws and policies targeted at women, girls and minorities.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • With these new measures, Canada has sanctioned a total of 205 Iranian individuals and 250 Iranian entities.

  • In 2012, Canada designated Iran as a state supporter of terrorism under the State Immunity Act. Along with the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, this listing allows victims to bring civil action against Iran for losses or damages from acts of terrorism with links to Iran committed anywhere in the world.

  • In November 2022, Canada designated the Islamic Republic of Iran as a regime that has engaged in terrorism and systematic and gross human rights violations pursuant to subparagraph 35(1)(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This means that tens of thousands of senior members of the Iranian regime, including many members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are inadmissible to Canada.

  • In June 2024, Canada listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code in response to its terrorist acts both on its own and in knowing association with listed terrorist entities, such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

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