Canada Imposes New Sanctions Against Institutions and Military Officials of the Islamic Republic

Canada, in coordination with the United States and the United Kingdom, imposed four new sanctions against institutions and officials of the Islamic Republic on Thursday, April 25. The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the unprecedented attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and groups associated with the Islamic Republic against Israel is another example of the malign influence of the Iranian government in the region and a danger that threatens to escalate regional tensions, which "threatens regional and global peace and security." Melanie Joly, Canada's Foreign Minister, described Thursday's sanctions against the Islamic Republic as a clear message in response to the destabilizing and deeply concerning activities of the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups, adding: "Canada stands with Israel and its people and emphasizes its commitment to their security." The sanctioned entities include the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya and its commander Gholamali Rashid, Mohammad Reza Qaraei Ashtiani, the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. To date, Canada has imposed sanctions on 200 individuals and 250 entities affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Alongside Canada, the United States also imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic on Thursday. According to a statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, these new sanctions affect Pouya Airline, eight individuals, five ships, and 15 entities. The U.S. Treasury Department stated that these individuals, entities, and ships played a central role in facilitating and financing the covert sale of drones for the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic, which itself supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the war in Russia against Ukraine. The British Foreign Office also imposed new sanctions against the drone and missile industries of the Islamic Republic. According to the British Prime Minister's Office, the new sanctions, announced in coordination with the U.S. and Canada, come after the Iranian regime's attack on April 14, in which over 300 drones and missiles were fired towards Israel. The violent crackdown on protests over the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, increasing military connections with Russia and militias in Middle Eastern countries, and the expansion of the Islamic Republic's missile and nuclear programs have prompted Western countries to impose several sanction packages against individuals and entities responsible in the Iranian government. The U.S. and its allies also imposed new sanctions, particularly against the missile and drone programs of the Iranian government, following the recent missile and drone attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel, while firmly declaring support for Israel. The White House: More sanctions against the Islamic Republic will be imposed under the National Security Supplemental Budget Act. The Mahsa Law was enacted with the signature of the U.S. President. The U.S. sanctioned two companies and four individuals in connection with the cyber operations of the Islamic Republic. The European Union agreed to expand sanctions against the Islamic Republic; Israel: This is just the beginning. The U.K. imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic in coordination with the United States. New sanctions against the Islamic Republic's drone program; Biden: The U.S. is committed to Israel's security. A letter from 134 members of the British Parliament to Rishi Sunak: The IRGC should be recognized as a terrorist organization. The U.S. announced cooperation with allies to design a "unified strategy" in response to the actions of the Islamic Republic.