Iran protests terrorist branding for its guard corps

The Iranian government is lashing out over the listing of its revolutionary guard corps as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code, vowing retaliation as it summoned Ottawa’s diplomatic representation in Iran, a move that underscores Canadian concerns about the potential for arbitrary detentions.

- STEPHANIE LEVITZ

Canada has declared the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - which controls over 30 per cent of Iran's economy - as a terrorist group.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its website Friday morning that it called in the Italian ambassador in Tehran for a “strong protest” against the decision Wednesday by Canada to declare the entirety of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

Canada hasn’t had a diplomatic presence in Iran since 2012 and Italy represents its interests there.