Trudeau government hesitates to impose terror sanctions on Tehran’s terror force
Justin Trudeau (Reuters/Mike Segar/File Photo)
A bipartisan coalition in Congress is urging Canada to label Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, emphasizing that “neither engagement nor concessions will change” Tehran’s destructive intentions.
“By officially designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization, Canada can join the United States in actively combating terrorism worldwide, demonstrating a strong commitment to peace and stability,” expressed a group of 14 House lawmakers in a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. “It is crucial for Canada to acknowledge the threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and take appropriate measures to address it.”
While Canada has imposed some sanctions on the Iranian regime, it has refrained from formally designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, likely to avoid straining diplomatic relations with Iran. However, following Hamas’s recent terror attack on Israel, which was supported and funded by Iran, Canada must implement more comprehensive sanctions, including a terror designation on the IRGC, which has been known to operate within the country, according to the lawmakers.
“Through both words and actions, the IRGC is ideologically committed to the destruction of Israel and undermining U.S.-Canadian security interests in the Middle East and globally,” wrote the lawmakers, led by Representatives Claudia Tenney (R., N.Y.) and Jared Moskowitz (D., Fla.). “The IRGC stands by its beliefs, and no amount of engagement or concessions will alter this fundamental reality.”
As international pressure mounts on Iran’s terror arm, which collaborates with jihadist groups across the Middle East to target Israel and American coalition forces in the region, Canada’s border services agency has recently prohibited entry for approximately 10,000 identified IRGC members.
Furthermore, Canadian authorities are investigating “the status of several individuals already residing in Canada who may have concerning ties to the regime in Iran,” as stated by the U.S. lawmakers.
Trudeau has recently evaded questions regarding whether he will designate the IRGC following Iran’s support for Hamas’s aggression against Israel.
Although Canada’s Senate passed a nonbinding resolution earlier this year calling for a designation on the Iranian paramilitary force, no formal action has been taken by the country.
“These efforts,” the lawmakers assert, “reflect a growing consensus among political leaders in Canada and worldwide concerning the threat posed by the IRGC and its promotion and support of terrorism.”
According to the U.S. lawmakers, Canada cannot effectively combat Iran’s malign activities globally without designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
“In the spirit of strong and ongoing cooperation, we urge you to build upon Canada’s existing designation of the IRGC Quds Force by finally designating the IRGC in its entirety as a terrorist organization,” they urged.
How does Canada’s failure to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization undermine global efforts to combat terrorism?
D to exporting terrorism and destabilizing the region,” the letter stated. It also highlighted the IRGC’s involvement in various terrorist activities, including sponsoring and arming extremist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. The lawmakers emphasized that Canada’s failure to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization undermines global efforts to combat terrorism and sends a message that Canada is willing to tolerate and support state-sponsored terrorism.
The call for Canada to impose terror sanctions on the IRGC comes at a critical time when Iran’s malign activities and support for terrorism are increasingly evident. In addition to its support for Hamas, Iran has been instrumental in fueling conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, posing a significant threat to regional stability and security. The IRGC, as the primary executer of Iran’s foreign policy, plays a vital role in implementing these destructive actions.
The bipartisan coalition in Congress argues that designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization is a necessary step to counter Iran’s aggressive behavior effectively. They believe that such a designation would not only impose financial and diplomatic pressures on the IRGC but also serve as a powerful deterrent to Iran’s destabilizing activities.
Moreover, designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization would bring Canada in line with the United States and several other countries that have already taken this decisive measure. Canada’s alignment with these nations would strengthen the collective response to Iran’s support for terrorism and demonstrate a united front against Iran’s dangerous and destabilizing behavior.
While the Trudeau government has taken some steps to address Iran’s nefarious activities, including the imposition of targeted sanctions, the lack of a terror designation on the IRGC remains a significant gap in Canada’s counterterrorism efforts. The lawmakers in Congress urge Prime Minister Trudeau to rectify this situation by formally designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
The potential strain on diplomatic relations with Iran should not be a justification for hesitating to take strong action against the IRGC. The IRGC’s involvement in terrorism poses a threat not just to regional security but also to global peace and stability. Canada must make it clear that it stands firmly with the international community in combating terrorism and holding state sponsors of terrorism accountable.
In conclusion, the bipartisan coalition in Congress’s call for Canada to impose terror sanctions on the IRGC is a necessary step to address the Iranian regime’s destructive and destabilizing behavior. By designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, Canada can demonstrate its commitment to peace and stability and contribute to global efforts in countering terrorism. It is crucial for Canada to acknowledge the threat posed by Iran and take appropriate measures to address it for the sake of international security and the well-being of its citizens.
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