Canada includes the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the terrorist list and calls on its citizens to leave Iran

Canada announced, on Wednesday, the inclusion of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the “list of terrorist organizations” under the country’s criminal law, calling on its citizens to leave Iran and not travel there.

The Canadian "Global News" website quoted Public Security Minister Dominique LeBlanc as saying that the decision to include the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the "list of terrorist organizations" was taken after a "careful evaluation." He added, "The Canadian government will not ignore Iran's illegal actions and support for terrorism."

LeBlanc stressed that this measure sends a strong message that Canada will use all the tools at its disposal to fight what he called the "terrorist entity."

In response to opposition criticism that “the decision came late and was taken under pressure,” LeBlanc said: “Such decisions are taken on the recommendation of the security institutions and in accordance with Canada’s foreign policy, which is a long process that depends on detailed negotiations.”

Following the issuance of the decision, Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie called on Canadian citizens to leave Iran and refrain from traveling there, saying, “Today’s announcement is crucial in holding the Iranian regime accountable, and therefore, there is an increased risk of arbitrary detention of Canadians in Iran.”

In a vote held last May, the Canadian House of Commons unanimously supported the proposal to include the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on the “list of terrorist organizations.”