TEHRAN: Iran has summoned the Italian ambassador, representing Canadian interests in Tehran, following Ottawa’s declared the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity, state media reported on Friday.
Tensions persist between the two nations since diplomatic ties were severed in 2012, leaving Italy as the intermediary for Canada’s interests in Iran.
Canada’s decision to label the Guards as a terrorist entity on Wednesday, citing concerns about human rights violations and international order destabilization, drew strong criticism from Iran.
Iran’s Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani condemned the move as “hostile” and a violation of international law.
In response, Iran summoned Italian ambassador Paola Amadei to protest against Canada’s actions, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri warned of consequences for Canada’s decision, calling it provocative and irresponsible.
Canada’s designation restricts Revolutionary Guards members from entering Canada and prohibits any dealings with them by Canadians. It also enables the seizure of assets held by the Guards or their members in Canada.
Furthermore, Canada and other nations are pursuing legal action against Iran at the International Court of Justice over the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 in January 2020, that left all 176 passengers on board including 85 Canadian citizens and permanent residents, dead.
While Iran claimed the missile strike was accidental, Canada has taken previous actions, such as listing the Guards’ foreign operations arm, the Quds Force, as a terrorist entity and denying entry to thousands of Iranian officials, including Guards members.
The United States also designated the Guards as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, with the European Union imposing sanctions on them recently over alleged drone supplies to Russia and its allies in the Middle East.
