Canada Lifts Sanctions Against Tehran

The Canadian government is lifting its unilateral sanctions against Iran. The country's Foreign Minister stated that they are monitoring Tehran's activities with 'open eyes' while emphasizing that Canadian companies also have the right to access the Iranian market. According to the Canadian CBC network, on January 26, Stéphane Dion, the Foreign Minister, said, 'The United Nations has asked countries to lift their sanctions against Iran, which were aimed at preventing that country from accessing a nuclear bomb for military purposes.' He added, 'Canada is stopping the sanctions but continues to view a government that should not have a nuclear bomb with a level of suspicion. A government that is dangerous for human rights and is not a friend to our allies, including Israel.' Tehran has always emphasized that its nuclear program only pursues peaceful goals. Dion's remarks come as a group of opposition representatives from the Conservative Party criticized this action. The previous Conservative government in Canada had seen relations with Iran plummet to a very low level, labeling Iran as 'the greatest threat to world security' and abruptly closing its embassy in Tehran. Furthermore, Reuters quoted Dion in a conversation with reporters, stating, 'If Airbus can [sell planes to Iran], why shouldn't Bombardier be able to do the same? How does Canada harming its own industries help Canada, the people of Iran, Israel, or anyone else?' Iranian officials have recently announced the purchase of dozens of European-made aircraft from Airbus and ATR. Bombardier is one of the most important manufacturers of medium-range aircraft; reports indicate that last year, officials from this company had negotiations with Iran to sell several models of their aircraft. Bombardier's products are also cheaper than those from both Airbus and Boeing. Montreal, Canada, is the third city in the world in terms of the number of people working in the aerospace industry, after Toulouse and Seattle. Reuters reports that Susan Benoit, head of AeroMontreal, expressed satisfaction with the Canadian government's action. The European Union and other countries like Japan and South Korea have recently ended their sanctions against Iran following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The United States has also lifted its nuclear sanctions against Iran. In this context, the Security Council is adopting new monitoring measures regarding Iran. Japan has lifted its nuclear sanctions against Iran. Iran Air announced the lifting of fuel supply restrictions at European airports. Rouhani is in Rome; plans to sign a '17 billion euro' contract with Italy. Iran is buying 40 ATR aircraft.