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Canada–Iran relations

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Canada–Iran relations
Map indicating locations of Canada and Iran

Canada
Iran
Former Iranian embassy in Ottawa

Canada and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since 2012. In the absence of diplomatic representation, Italy acts as the protecting power for Canada in Iran and Switzerland acts as Iran's protecting power in Canada.[1][2]

History

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Americans display their gratitude for Canadian efforts during the Canadian Caper, a rescue mission of American diplomats during the November 1979–January 1981 Iran hostage crisis.

Prior to 1955, Canadian consular and commercial affairs in Iran were conducted through the British Embassy to Iran. Foreign relations and diplomatic ties between Canada and Iran began with the founding of an Iranian mission in Ottawa in 1956, and a Canadian mission in Tehran in 1959. The Canadian mission was granted embassy status in 1961.[3][4]

Rupture of relations under Khomeini

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Formal relations between the two nations continued uninterrupted from 1955 until 1980. When Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's Iranian Revolution drove the Shah from the country in 1979, the Canadian Embassy scrambled to evacuate the 850 Canadian workers in Iran while the embassy staff remained.[5] Six American diplomats took refuge in the Canadian embassy after Iranian student protesters stormed the U.S. embassy, and the Canadian government, in coordination with the Central Intelligence Agency, safely evacuated them from the country using Canadian passports with forged Iranian visas.[6] This covert rescue became known as the "Canadian Caper", and while it improved Canada's relations with the United States, Canada–Iran relations became more volatile.[7][8] The embassy staff were quickly evacuated for fear of retribution against Canadians, and the embassy was closed in 1980.[9]

Resumption of diplomatic relations under Khamenei

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From 1980 to 1988, under Brian Mulroney, Canada and Iran did not have diplomatic ties, though relations were not formally severed.[citation needed] The Canadian government was reluctant to reopen an embassy, both because of the history, and given the Iranian government's history of kidnapping and torturing diplomats.[10] In 1988, the two governments agreed to resume diplomatic relations at a low level, and the Canadian embassy in Tehran was re-opened.[citation needed]

Due to rocky relations after the Iranian Revolution, Iran did not establish an embassy in Canada until 1991. Its staff, which had been living in a building on Roosevelt Avenue in Ottawa's west end, moved into 245 Metcalfe Street in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa, and the mission was upgraded to embassy status.[11] In Tehran, the Canadian Embassy had been located at 57 Shahid Sarafaz Street and Ostad Motahari Avenue. The mission was staffed by a chargé rather than a full ambassador.[citation needed]

During the tenure of prime minister Jean Chrétien, the nations formally exchanged ambassadors in 1996. Canadian concerns over human rights abuses in Iran, its record on nuclear non-proliferation, Holocaust denial and threats to destroy Israel, and its active opposition to the Middle East peace process led to a policy of "controlled engagement" by Canadian diplomats. Bilateral ties were restricted, such as preventing direct air links between the two countries or the opening of Iranian consulates and cultural centres in Canada (other than the embassy in Ottawa).[12]

Canada has also continued to express its concern about human rights in Iran, and in particular, issues such as the independence of the judiciary, arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, treatment of women and treatment of persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities, including Iran's small remaining Jewish community, and members of the Baháʼí Faith.[13][14][15]

2003: Zahra Kazemi

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Relations between Canada and Iran drastically deteriorated in June 2003 when Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian freelance photographer from Montreal, was arrested while taking pictures outside a prison in Tehran during a student protest. Three weeks later, she was killed while in custody.[16]

Iranian authorities insisted that her death was accidental, claiming that she died of a stroke while being interrogated. However, Shahram Azam, a former military staff physician, stated that he examined Kazemi's body and observed obvious signs of torture, including a skull fracture, broken nose, signs of rape and severe abdominal bruising. This information was revealed within Azam's case for seeking asylum in Canada in 2004.[16]

Kazemi's death in Iranian custody attracted widespread international attention.[17] Because of her joint citizenship and the circumstances of her death, the tragedy generated considerable protest. In November 2003, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression honoured Kazemi with the Tara Singh Hayer Memorial Award in recognition of her courage in defending the right to free expression.[18]

Canada drafted a United Nations resolution to condemn human rights abuses in Iran, expressing concern for Iran's use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, particularly the practice of amputation and flogging. In response and to shift the focus, Gholamhossein Elham, the Iranian judiciary spokesman, responded by claiming, "The Canadian government has the worst, most backward and racist judiciary system." Iran further accused a Canadian police officer of gunning down 18-year-old Iranian Kayvan Tabesh on July 14 in Vancouver. The police officer claimed self-defence after the teenager allegedly charged at him with a machete. Iran also presented a 70-page report before the adoption of the resolution, detailing alleged human rights abuses in Canada in an attempt to discredit the main backer of the resolution.[citation needed]

In another incident, a prominent Canadian-Iranian blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, was detained by police in Tehran in 2008 over remarks he made about the Shiite faith, according to the Iranian Judiciary.[19]

2005: "Controlled engagement" and United Nations Resolution 1737

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On May 17, 2005, Canada tightened its controlled engagement policy by limiting talks with Iran to four subjects:

  1. Human rights situation in Iran;
  2. Iran's nuclear programme and its compliance with non-proliferation obligations;
  3. The case of Zahra Kazemi;
  4. Iran's role in the region.[20]
Paul Martin, Canadian Prime Minister 2003–2006

In October 2005, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech at a conference entitled "The World Without Zionism". During the speech he made comments that were widely interpreted as anti-semitic by the Jewish community and the Western world in general. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin summoned the Iranian ambassador in Canada and gave a formal reprimand.[21]

On December 26, 2006, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1737, demanding that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment program or face economic sanctions. On February 22, the Governor-in-Council made new regulations under the United Nations Act: Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution on Iran. Together with existing relevant provisions of the Canada Shipping Act, the Export and Import Permits Act, and the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, these provisions allowed Canada to bring economic sanctions against Iran as requested in resolution 1737. The sanctions include a ban on any trade that could contribute to Iran's activities in enrichment, reprocessing heavy water, or the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems. The regulations also deal with freezing assets and notification of travel by Iranian officials in Canada.

Manouchehr Mottaki in April 2010

In June, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the Islamic Republic News Agency that Canada was "hiding some spies at their embassy in Tehran and allowing them to escape". Mottaki told the IRNA that he warned his Canadian counterpart at the UN General Assembly in 2005 that "Canada should be aware of its limits and realize what country it was dealing with." On November 30, 2006, the conservative-dominated parliament in Iran accused the Canadian embassy of being a "den of spies" for the United States and launched a query to investigate. Iranian MPs met with the Iranian Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie to discuss the charges.[22]

In 2007, moves to warm relations between the two countries occurred with the Supreme Court in Iran calling for another review of the death of Zahra Kazemi, and an attempt to again exchange ambassadors. Canada rejected two Iranian candidates after Canadian intelligence suggested they may have been involved with the radical student uprising that stormed the U.S. embassy in 1979. Iran then refused to review the credentials of the Canadian candidate John Mundy, an act which Canada's foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier claimed was "retaliation for Ottawa's rejection of Iran's top choices". Mundy was later expelled from Tehran.[23]

2010: Economic sanctions

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See also: Sanctions against Iran

In 2010, amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act of 2004 restricted financial transactions and economic activities between Canada and Iran that are considered beneficial to the Iranian government.[24] In response to the Act, Toronto-Dominion Bank closed a number of accounts of Iranian-Canadian customers to comply with the sanctions.[25]

Having already imposed a series of trade sanctions in 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird imposed additional bans and froze all remaining trade with Iran. This came at a time when bilateral trade was worth around C$135 million (US$130 million). This was enacted in protest the Tehran's nuclear ambitions and human rights record. Baird was quoted as saying, "The absence of progress ... leads Canada to ban effectively immediately all imports and exports from Iran". Statistics Canada's data for 2012 reveals exports to Iran were worth around C$95 million, mostly consisting of cereals, oil seeds, and fruit, as well as chemical products, and machinery. Iranian exports totaled C$40 million, with fruits, nuts, and textiles being most prevalent.[26] Baird delivered his message to an approving audience in Washington at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Baird won an extended standing ovation for reiterating the government's view that Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon is the most dangerous threat to global security.[27]

While Baird's premise is to increase pressure on it until its government either surrenders or collapses, the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany have taken a different approach. They are committed to negotiation with Iran's current government, and are willing to accommodate legitimate Iranian interests. Their aim is to settle the nuclear issue, reintegrate Iran into the international economy, and support Iranian reform. Their approach is fully consistent with support for Iranian human rights. In 2003, after years of patient negotiation between Iran and the European Union, Iran agreed to all of this and also made a direct overture to the United States. The agreement lasted until 2005, when Ayatollah Khamenei became convinced that Europe was negotiating in bad faith and only acting for the United States, who remained unambiguously hostile.[28]

2012: Baird severs diplomatic ties

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On September 7, 2012 (during APEC Russia 2012 summit), Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird announced that Canada was breaking diplomatic relations with Iran.[29] Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran and closed its embassy in Tehran, citing Iran's material support to the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war, non-compliance with United Nations resolutions regarding its nuclear program, continuing threats to Israel, and fears for the safety of Canadian diplomats following attacks on the British embassy in Iran in violation of the Vienna Convention.[30] In addition, Canada formally listed the Iranian regime as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.[31] The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade advised all Canadians against travelling to Iran.[32] Consular services would be assured by the Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey and the department's Emergency Watch and Response Centre.[30] Ten Canadian diplomats had already left Iran when Canada announced the closure of its embassy.[33] This move was another step by Canada to isolate Iran in addition to economic sanctions.[34]

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was quoted as saying that the Iranian government is "unambiguously, a clear and present danger," and that "the appeal of our conscience requires us to speak out against what the Iranian regime stands for."[35] Canada's foreign affairs ministry offered the following explanation:

The Iranian regime is providing increasing military assistance to the Assad regime; it refuses to comply with UN resolutions pertaining to its nuclear program; it routinely threatens the existence of the State of Israel and engages in racist anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement to genocide; it is among the world's worst violators of human rights; and it shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the Government of Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.[36][37]

After Canada's announcement of closure, a note written in Persian was posted on the door of Iran's embassy in Ottawa that noted: "Because of the hostile decision by the government of Canada, the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa is closed and has no choice but to stop providing any consular services for its dear citizens."[38]

Reactions

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In the Calgary Herald, Baird clarified that he 'views the government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today.'[39] The Canadian embassy in Tehran remains closed, and Iranian diplomats were declared personae non gratae, ordering them to leave Canada within five days.[36][40] James George, who served as Canada's ambassador to Iran between 1972 and 1977, criticized Baird, saying "It's stupid to close an embassy in these circumstances."[29]

Ramin Mehmanparast, spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this development as "the hostile" action of the "racist government in Canada", which is following "the pursuit of Zionist and British dictated policies."[41]

Since September 26, 2012, the Iranian foreign ministry advised all Iranian citizens against travelling to Canada due to increasing Islamophobia and Iranophobia. Furthermore, the ministry said that they have been cases of arrests and expulsions of Iranian expatriates under various pretexts and Iranians are deprived of their basic rights to continue with their ordinary activities, including the right to access their banking accounts and do ordinary transactions and that Iranians are murdered but not investigated in any significant way by Canadian police.[42][43]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Canada for the decision, calling it a "moral, courageous step" which sends a message to the international community that it can not allow "the dark regime in Iran to get nuclear weapons." Netanyahu called on other members of the international community to follow Canada's lead and "set moral and practical red lines" to Iran.[44]

After the closure of the Canadian embassy, Italy agreed to serve as Canada's protecting power in Iran.[45][46] On October 22, 2013, Oman agreed to serve Iranian interests in Canada at its embassy in Ottawa after providing services (July 2012 – October 2013) for the UK.[47][48]

2015: Justin Trudeau era

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Justin Trudeau said within the first month of the October 2015 election which brought him to power that he had plans to restore relations between the two nations, in the wake of the Iranian nuclear deal, which the outgoing Harper government had strongly opposed.[49]

Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement on 16 January 2016 by Iran and P5+1, the Canadian trade minister Chrystia Freeland announced on 5 February 2016 that they will lift economic sanctions against Iran, which will allow Canadian companies to do business with Iran but will maintain restrictions on exports relating to nuclear goods and technologies and anything that could help Iran in developing ballistic missiles. This also includes a list of individuals and companies that have associations with the Iranian government. In 2013 alone, the Canadian government (under Stephen Harper) has imposed a complete trade embargo on Iran and economic sanctions and travel restrictions against 78 individuals and 508 companies and organizations.[50]

Canadian foreign minister Stéphane Dion has also supported the lifting of Canadian economic sanctions but voiced concerns about Iran's role in the Middle East, its standoff with Israel, its ballistic missile program and its worsening human rights record. In his March 2016 speech at the University of Ottawa, Dion said that breaking off diplomatic ties with Iran "had no positive consequences for anyone"—not for Canadians, not for Iranians, not for Israelis and not for global security. He has also made calls to start re-engaging with Iran in order "to play a useful role in that region of the world."[51][52]

On June 13, 2019, Switzerland signed an agreement with Iran to serve as its protecting power in Canada.[53]

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

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Main article: Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

In January 2020, Iranian military forces shot down a passenger plane of Ukraine Airways after it took off from Tehran Khomeini Airport. The Iranian government later admitted that the plane was targeted after mistakenly being identifying as an American cruise missile.[54] This happened during heightened military tensions between Iran and the United States. On board the plane were a number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Canada strongly criticised the Iranian government.

2022 Iranian protests

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The death of Mahsa Amini took place at the hands of Iranian police. Amini was claimed to be wearing the hijab incorrectly and was detained. She was also beaten by police and she died in hospital on 16 September. Her death started a series of protests in Iran. During the protests, the police were seen attacking protesters. In Canada residents of Iranian descent were asking the Canadian government to address brutality in Iran. As a result of this, some Canadian politicians stated that they are together with Iranian protesters.[55]

2023

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According to the UN's top tribunal, Iran took Canada to the International Court of Justice for "allowing victims of alleged terror attacks to claim damages from Tehran".[56]

2024

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Canada declared IRGC as a terror group.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Canada - Iran Relations". Canada's International Gateway. Government of Canada. June 12, 2014. A reciprocal diplomatic presence was maintained until September 2012... [s]ince then, Italy has been Canada's Protective Power in Iran.
  2. ^ "Switzerland to represent Iranian interests in Canada". Swissinfo. June 13, 2019.
  3. ^ "Canadian-Iranian Relations" (PDF). Conference of Defence Associations. 2002. Retrieved September 9, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "A timeline of the relationship between Iran and Canada". The Globe and Mail. January 9, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Robert Wright (June 6, 2010). Our Man in Tehran: Ken Taylor, the CIA and the Iran Hostage Crisis. HarperCollins Canada. p. 181. ISBN 978-1-55468-878-4.
  6. ^ Chantal Allan (November 15, 2009). Bomb Canada: And Other Unkind Remarks in the American Media. Athabasca University Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-897425-49-7.
  7. ^ "Canadian Caper helps Americans escape Tehran". CBC Archives. Retrieved July 30, 2006.
  8. ^ Mark Kearney; Randy Ray (September 30, 2006). Whatever Happened To...?: Catching Up with Canadian Icons. Dundurn. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-55002-654-2.
  9. ^ "Canada-Iran Relations". Canadian Government Official Website. June 12, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "Canada not in hurry to reopen embassy". The Leader-Post. Ottawa. January 23, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  11. ^ Preston G. Smith (2003). Encyclopedia of World Terrorism. M E SHARPE INC. p. 281. ISBN 978-1-56324-807-8.
  12. ^ Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The United States Record, 2003-2004. Government Printing Office. July 2, 2004. pp. 174–177. ISBN 978-0-16-072270-7.
  13. ^ Michael Byers (June 1, 2008). Intent For A Nation: What is Canada For: A Relentlessly Optimistic Manifesto for Canada's Role in the World. Douglas & McIntyre. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-55365-381-3.
  14. ^ Yahya R. Kamalipour (September 16, 2010). Media, Power, and Politics in the Digital Age: The 2009 Presidential Election Uprising in Iran. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4422-0417-1.
  15. ^ B. G. Ramcharan (1989). The Concept and Present Status of the International Protection of Human Rights: Forty Years After the Universal Declaration. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 134. ISBN 978-90-247-3759-8.
  16. ^ a b "IN DEPTH: ZAHRA KAZEMI – Iran's changing story". CBC News Online. November 16, 2005. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  17. ^ Ebadi, Shirin with Azadeh Moaveni (2006). Iran Awakening. New York: Random House, p. 199
  18. ^ "Tara Singh Hayer Memorial Award". Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  19. ^ "Document — Iran: Incommunicado detention/ fear of torture or other ill-treatment/ possible prisoner of conscience: Hossein Derakhshan (m)". Amnesty International. December 15, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
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  21. ^ "Prime Minister Martin Issues Statement on Iranian President's Denial of The Holocaust". Halifax Live. December 15, 2005. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
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  23. ^ Noronha, Charmaine (December 4, 2007). "Canadian officials: Rejected Iran ambassador picks may have been linked to 1979 hostage-taking". Associated Press. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  24. ^ "Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations". Department of Justice Canada. July 22, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  25. ^ "TD Bank closing customer accounts as part of Iran sanctions". Financial Post. July 6, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  26. ^ Ljunggren, David (May 29, 2013). "Canada freezes trade with Iran over nuclear program, human rights". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  27. ^ "You'll face 'consequences' from Canada if you take Israel to International Criminal Court: Baird to Palestinians". nationalpost.com. March 6, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  28. ^ "In confronting Iran, John Baird stands in the way of real solutions". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. May 21, 2013. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  29. ^ a b "Severing ties with Iran 'stupid,' Canada's envoy from 1970s says". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. September 13, 2012.
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  31. ^ Payton, Laura (September 7, 2012). "Canada Canada closes embassy in Iran, expels Iranian diplomats". CBC News. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  32. ^ "Canada closes embassy in Iran, expels Iranian diplomats". CTV News. September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  33. ^ "Iran says may retaliate for Canada's "hostile" cut in ties". Reuters. September 8, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  34. ^ Tennile Tracy; Paul Viera (September 7, 2012). "Iran Oil Exports Fall, Embassy Shut". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  35. ^ "Canada PM Sees Iran as "Clear and Present Danger"". The Algemeiner. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  36. ^ a b Parvaz, D. "Who will pay as Canada cuts ties with Iran?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  37. ^ "Canada Closes Embassy in Iran, Expels Iranian Diplomats from Canada". Iran Watch. September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  38. ^ "Canada shuts Tehran embassy, kicks out diplomats". CBS News. Toronto. CBS/AP. September 8, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  39. ^ "Canada Cuts Ties w/ Iran - Obama Tries Building Them". themendenhall.com. October 1, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  40. ^ Ljunggren, Davod (September 7, 2012). "Canada closes Iran embassy, to expel remaining Iranian diplomats". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  41. ^ "Canada pursuing British, Israeli policies: Iran". Tehran Times. Tehran. September 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  42. ^ "Iran Canada Travel Warning: Tehran Warns Citizens Of 'Islamophobia' and 'Iranophobia' In Country". Huffington Post Canada. September 26, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  43. ^ Koring, Paul (September 26, 2012). "Iran warns its citizens that Canada is a dangerous place". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  44. ^ Keinon, Herb (September 9, 2012). "'World must follow Canada's lead, cut Iran ties'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  45. ^ "Iran Not Consulted on Selection of Italian Embassy as Canada's Interests Section". Fars News Agency. September 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  46. ^ "Canada Thanks Italy for Agreeing to Represent Interests in Iran". Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  47. ^ "Oman embassy to represent Iranian interests in Canada - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  48. ^ "Oman to take care of Iran's interests in Canada - Tehran Times". Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  49. ^ Vaidyanathan, Rajini (October 20, 2015). "Canada election: Seven things Justin Trudeau believes in". BBC News. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  50. ^ "Canada lifts economic sanctions against Tehran after nuclear deal". The Guardian. AFP. February 5, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  51. ^ "Canadian foreign minister: Country will soon reestablish ties with Iran". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  52. ^ "Canada lifting some economic sanctions against Iran to 'resume dialogue'". CBC News. February 5, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  53. ^ "Switzerland to represent Iranian interests in Canada".
  54. ^ "Demands for justice after Iran's plane admission". BBC. January 11, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  55. ^ "Iran protests: Canada's House of Commons adopts 'solidarity' motion after woman's death - National | Globalnews.ca".
  56. ^ "Iran sues Canada for allowing victims to pursue terror charges; France24".
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