Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the Canadian government. The development will mean that thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC officials, will not be able to enter Canada. Additionally, current and former senior Iranian government officials already in Canada may also now be investigated and removed.
Announcing on Wednesday, Public Safety Minister Dominic Mr LeBlanc said the decision “sends a strong message that Canada will use all of the tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist entity of the IRGC”.
“The Iranian regime has consistently displayed disregard for human rights, both inside and outside of Iran as well as a willingness to destabilise the international rules-based order,” he said.
Reacting to the move, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as an “unwise and unconventional step,” adding that Canada’s decision “won’t have any effect on the Revolutionary Guards’ legitimate and deterrent power.”
The IRGC is an extremely influential military, political and economic force in Iran, with close ties to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is estimated to have almost 200,000 active personnel, including ground forces, navy and air force that are in control of Iran’s strategic weapons.
The IRGC’s influence also extends across the Middle East by providing money, weapons, technology, training and advice to allied governments and armed groups through its shadowy overseas operations arm, the Quds Force. The Quds Force was already branded a terrorist group by Canada this announcement extends the designation to the entire IRGC.
The move makes Canada the second country in North America after the United States to brand the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.