ALWAGHT- Tehran labels Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist group, citing Canada’s “illegal” designation of Iranian forces.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced it had designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization under its 2019 law on reciprocal action against the US designation of the IRGC. Tehran said the measure extends the law’s provisions to Canada, citing the principle of reciprocity.
The ministry argued that Canada’s decision to label the IRGC—described as an official pillar of Iran’s armed forces—violated fundamental principles of international law. It said Article 7 of the 2019 law mandates reciprocal action against any country supporting the US designation.
Iran said the move directly responds to Canada’s 2024 decision to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization, part of what Tehran called Ottawa’s longstanding hostile policy. Iran has repeatedly rejected such designations as legally baseless and damaging to international norms.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since Canada severed diplomatic ties in 2012, while later delisting the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Terrorist Organization. Tehran has since imposed sanctions on Canadian officials and accused Ottawa of sheltering anti-Iran actors and fugitives, further deepening bilateral tensions.
