Iran downplays Canada’s decision to declare IRGC as terrorist organization  

KABUL (Pajhwok): Following the inclusion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the list of terrorist groups by the Canadian government, Tehran has said that this decision by Ottawa has no effect on the IRGC’s increasing power and authority.

"Our government has made the decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code," Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told a news conference.

Flanked by Canada's foreign and justice ministers, he accused the Iranian regime of "support for terrorism" and "having consistently displayed disregard for human rights both inside and outside of Iran, as well as a willingness to destabilize the international rules-based order."

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, noting that Ottawa broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran several years ago, urged Canadians against travel to Iran.

"For those who are in Iran right now. It's time to come back home," she added.

The terrorism listing bars members of the Guards from entering Canada and Canadians from having any dealings with individual members or the group. Any assets the Guards or its members hold in Canada may also be seized.

In response to Canada’s decision, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasir Kanani said Ottawa’s decision would have no effect on the authority and power of IRGC.

He said: “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a sovereign institution that emerged from within the Iranian nation and has an official and legal identity derived from the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, along with other elements of the armed forces, is responsible for guarding the country's national security and borders, as well as contributing to security and stability in the region, it is responsible for dealing with the sinister phenomenon of terrorism.”

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