PARIS — Eleven Iranian entities that Canada took off its sanctions list in 2016 are going back on it, Global Affairs Canada announced Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand brought the measures in under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. Ottawa says the entities contributed to the Iranian regime’s proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities and its ballistic missile program, or helped finance its malign activities.
The entities came off the list in 2016, when Canada recognized Iran’s progress under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the deal meant to ensure Iran’s nuclear program remained exclusively peaceful. The decision aligned with measures taken by Canada’s like-minded partners after Iran allowed verification activities and took steps to restrict its nuclear program under the deal.
Since then, Iran’s repeated failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency has heightened concerns about its nuclear activities, the department said.
The reimposition aligns with efforts by Canada’s like-minded partners to disrupt Iranian financial networks supporting its nuclear program. By cutting further into Iran’s access to sensitive technologies and funding, the measures signal Canada’s firm opposition to the financing, development and expansion of its proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities.
Anand made the announcement during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Paris. Ottawa is working with its G7 partners and the broader international community to press Iran to comply with its international obligations, resume full cooperation with the IAEA without delay and return to negotiations.
“Canada’s position is unequivocal: Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. We will continue to work with our G7 partners and the broader international community toward a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program and strengthens regional and international security.”