Backgrounder: Canada imposes additional sanctions against Iran

Despite decades of concerted efforts by the international community, Iran remains a destabilizing force across the Middle East and the world through malign activities by its own military, as well as its support of a network of aligned non-state militias and terrorist armed groups, often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.” Iran supports Axis of Resistance members through funding, arms provision, technology transfers, training and ideological and political support.

The current conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, has escalated across the Middle East because of the Iranian Regime’s attacks on neighbouring states, which have far-reaching implications for regional and international stability. Iran is also contributing to growing economic impacts and disruptions to global trade, shipping and energy markets while increasing humanitarian needs and displacement.

Today’s amendments add five individuals and four entities to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations for their direct or indirect participation in Iran-directed activities that undermine international peace, security or stability.

With today’s announcement, Canada has sanctioned a total of 487 Iranian individuals and entities across Iran’s security, intelligence and economic apparatus, pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, with the majority of these measures imposed since 2022.

This total includes 227 individuals and 260 entities listed under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, as well as the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

These measures impose a dealings prohibition, effectively freezing any assets that sanctioned persons may hold in Canada and prohibiting persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from making property available to sanctioned persons. Listed individuals are also rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Individuals

The newly listed individuals are the following:

1. Ehsan Imaninejad, Chief Executive Officer of Saad Sazah Faraz Sharif
2. Hadi Zahourian, Chief Executive Officer of Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia
3. Mohammad Shahab Khanian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia
4. Ehsan Rahat Varnosfadrani, Chief Scientist and former chief executive officer of Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia
5. Rahmatollah Heidari, Managing Director and member of the board of directors of Baharestan Kish Company

Entities

The newly listed entities are the following:

1. Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia (also known as Shakad Sanat Asmari), an entity involved in the development and manufacturing of components for Iran’s Shahed series drones
2. Saad Sazah Faraz Sharif (also known as Sadid Sazeh Parvaz Sharif and Daria Fanavar Borhan Sharif), an entity involved in the development and manufacturing of components for Iran’s Shahed series drones
3. Kimia Part Sivan Company (also known as KIPAS), an entity and drone production arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF)
4. Sarmad Electronic Sepahan Company, an entity involved in the development and manufacturing of electronic and electromechanical components for avionics and drones