Canada Lists Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorist Group

Facts

• Canada has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity for its 'disregard for human rights' and 'willingness to destabilise the international rules-based order.'¹
• The Canadian government said that the decision was made to counter 'terrorist financing' and ensure there's no exception for 'Iran's unlawful actions and its support of terrorism.'²
• The listing requires Canadian banks to freeze IRGC assets and ban Canadian citizens from engaging in financial or material dealings with the guards.³
• Relations between the two countries have strained after Iran allegedly downed Flight PS752 in 2020, shortly after it took off from Tehran for Kyiv. All 176 people on board were killed, including 85 Canadians.⁴
• Canada had previously designated the IRGC's overseas arm, the Quds Force, as a terrorist group. The US designated the IRGC as a foreign terror organization in 2019.⁵
• Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly warned Canadians not to travel to Iran and urged those in Iran to 'come back home,' citing a heightened risk of arbitrary detention.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Al Jazeera, ³Guardian, ⁴The Telegraph, ⁵France 24 and ⁶CBC.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Telegraph. This is a significant tool in fighting global terrorism and works to hold the IRGC accountable for its violent actions and human rights abuses — including the downing of Flight PS752. By freezing IRGC assets and prosecuting people who support the group, Ottawa has moved forward to punish those who are knowingly involved in atrocities and terrorist activities against Canadians.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by CBC. This is an unwise and politically motivated step against a significant military, political, and economic force in Iran, whose officials and affiliates living in Canada now threaten the country's safety. Additionally, this listing risks Iranian-Canadians — who were conscripted into the IRGC — facing unfair legal risks, social stigma, and complications with their immigration statuses.

Predictions