Canada Lists Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Terrorist Organisation

Canada has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, marking a significant development in the country's efforts to combat global terrorism. 

This decision comes after years of persistent pressure from opposition legislators and members of the Iranian diaspora. 

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the designation on Wednesday, describing it as a "significant tool in fighting global terrorism."

The IRGC, a powerful military, political, and economic force in Iran, has close ties to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

It comprises over 190,000 active personnel and operates its own ground forces, navy, and air force, overseeing Iran's strategic weapons. 

Through its Quds (Jerusalem) Force, the IRGC influences the Middle East by providing money, weapons, technology, training, and advice to allied governments and armed groups. 

Although Canada had previously designated the Quds Force as a terrorist group, this new designation extends to the entire IRGC.

Minister LeBlanc emphasized that this action "sends a strong message that Canada will use all of the tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist entity of the IRGC." 

He criticized the Iranian regime for its consistent disregard for human rights and its efforts to destabilize the international rules-based order. 

The designation will bar thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC officials, from entering Canada. 

It also opens the possibility of investigating and removing current and former senior Iranian government officials already in the country.

In response to the announcement, Canada's foreign affairs minister, Melanie Joly, warned Canadians in Iran of potential risks of arbitrary detention and urged them to return home. 

She also advised against traveling to Iran. 

The decision reflects a shift in Canada's stance, which had previously refrained from extending the terrorism designation to the IRGC, partly due to concerns about unfairly targeting Iranians in Canada who had opposed the regime but were compelled to serve in the IRGC.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned Canada's move, calling it an "unwise and unconventional politically-motivated step" and asserting that it would not affect the IRGC's "legitimate and deterrent power." 

The designation follows the tragic downing of Flight PS752 by the IRGC in January 2020, which resulted in the deaths of all 175 passengers, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents of Canada. Tehran claimed the missile strike was a mistake.

Canada's decision makes it the second country in North America, after the United States, to label the IRGC as a terrorist organization. 

The US took this step in 2019. While the UK has indicated its intent to make a similar move, it has not yet done so. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government had previously been reluctant to extend the designation, citing concerns about its impact on Iranians in Canada. 

However, Minister LeBlanc clarified that the decision was based on a "deliberative process" advised by security services and foreign policy considerations.

This landmark move by Canada underscores its commitment to addressing global terrorism and holding accountable those responsible for human rights violations and destabilizing actions.