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Trudeau Government Designates Iran's IRGC as Terrorist Organization After Years of Pressure

Jun 19, 2024, 08:55 PM

Canada has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under the country's Criminal Code. This decision follows years of mounting pressure and aligns Canada with the United States, which made a similar designation five years ago. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision, emphasizing that Canada will use all available tools to combat the IRGC's terrorist activities. The designation bars thousands of Iranian officials from entering Canada and makes it a criminal offense to provide financial support to the group. The Canadian government has also urged its citizens in Iran to leave the country. The announcement was made in a press conference attended by Justice Minister Arif Virani and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. The move has been met with condemnation from Iranian officials, including Kazem Gharibabadi and Nasser Kanaani, who have called it politically motivated and provocative. The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces and has been involved in various regional conflicts and support for terrorist groups. This decision is seen as a significant step in holding the Iranian regime accountable for its actions.