Canada Prepares Additional Sanctions to Pressure Iran

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Canada on Sunday pledged to coordinate with international allies to impose additional sanctions and maintain pressure on Iran over its activities in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, in a joint statement, urged Iran to immediately cease its “destabilising activities in the Middle East.”

They specifically highlighted the ongoing threats to vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Iran’s illegal nuclear activities and its support for proxy groups in the region.

Anand and Champagne said Ottawa is working closely with G7 nations to support efforts led by the United States, together with France and the United Kingdom, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement also reaffirmed Canada’s continued support for Operation Economic Outcast, the US-led maximum pressure sanctions campaign, as well as other efforts to disrupt Iran’s ability to “fund terrorist activities.”

Since 2010, Canada has imposed sanctions on 492 Iranian individuals and entities under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

Both ministers said Canada will continue to pursue “additional measures” with global partners to compel Iran to end its “malevolent behaviour.”

Iran has yet to issue an immediate response to Canada’s accusations.