Canada has listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a ‘terrorist organization’. The Government of Canada announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, IRGC has relations with Hamas and Hezbollah. The group is also involved in human rights abuses in Iran. This move will help in countering the financing of terrorism.
It is also said that Canada does not condone terrorism. Through this enlistment, the message was given strongly to the whole world. Canada has also asked its citizens in Iran to evacuate. It is asked to be careful even if someone stays in extreme need.
In this regard, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc said, this step is significant. It will serve as a tool in the fight against terrorism around the world. Iran’s regime has consistently shown a complete disregard for human rights inside and outside the country. It also seeks to destabilize the international order. Listing the IRGC is part of a larger effort by the Canadian government. So that there is no impunity for Iran’s illegal activities and support for terrorism.
Canadian opposition lawmakers and the Iranian diaspora have been demanding this for years. But Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was not willing to take this step. Then he made excuses about various things. But suddenly Trudeau changed his mind and his government made an official announcement.
The US listed the IRGC as a ‘terrorist organization’ in 2019, ahead of Canada. The United Kingdom is expected to follow suit.
Analysts say the listing of the IRGC as a “terrorist organization” will prevent thousands of senior Iranian government officials from entering Canada. An unwritten ban was imposed on them.
In addition, IRGC assets in Canada will be frozen. No Canadian citizen or company can associate with the organization.
The IRGC is considered an elite force in Iran. This force works under the direct guidance of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Recently, there were allegations of brutal behavior against the force in suppressing the anti-hijab movement.
But the force has many supporters and well-wishers in Iran. This force has great influence in the country’s military, political and economic spheres. The force is hailed as the defender of the Islamic revolution in Iran.
IRGC has around two lakh active members. The IRGC has its own land, naval and air forces. They oversee Iran’s strategic weapons. They have long been accused of providing training, advice and weapons to organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. IRGC influence is also evident in regional wars in the Middle East.