Backgrounder: Additional sanctions against Iran

Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations against 3 Iranian individuals and 4 entities that have engaged in destabilizing activities in the Middle East region and globally that undermine international peace, security or stability in a manner that is consistent with the policies of Iran.

The individuals and entities targeted are Iranian business people and companies connected to procurement networks that acquire and supply sophisticated technology that supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) weapons production and sales, including to Russia for use in its illegal war against Ukraine.

In light of Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East region and globally, the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations have been amended to enable Canada to impose sanctions in response to the evolving peace and security threat that Iran poses to the region and globally. In addition to nuclear activities and human rights violations, the Iran regulations can now capture the broad scope of malign activities carried out by, or consistent with, the policies of Iran. This amendment also enables Canada to designate any current or former senior government officials beyond senior IRGC officials.

Canadian measures

The Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations impose a prohibition on dealings related to the listed individuals, effectively freezing any assets they may have in Canada. Persons in Canada and Canadians outside the country are prohibited from dealing in the property of the listed individuals, and the listed individuals are also rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The specific prohibitions are set out in the regulations.

The names of the individuals and entities added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, head of a transnational procurement network that includes Kavan Electronics Co., Basamad Electronic Pouya Engineering Co. and Teyf Tadbir Arya Engineering Co.

Mehdi Gogerdchian, managing director and board member of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries

Hossein Pourfarzaneh, lead engineer of Farzanegan Propulsion Design Bureau

Kavan Electronics Behrad Limited Liability Company, a procurement firm

Basamad Electronic Pouya Engineering Limited Liability Company, a procurement firm

Teyf Tadbir Engineering Company, a procurement firm

Farzanegan Propulsion Systems Design Bureau, a technology firm