Friday World, December 31,2025
The long-standing diplomatic rift between Iran and Canada has now reached a unique and symbolic level. On December 30, 2025, Iran's Foreign Ministry issued an official statement designating the -Royal Canadian Navy- as a terrorist organization.
This step comes as a direct response to Canada's decision in June 2024 to include Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in its list of terrorist entities. Canada's Decision on the IRGC
On June 19, 2024, the Canadian government designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated at the time that the IRGC had "knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated terrorist activity."
Under this decision:
- Any assets linked to the IRGC were frozen.
- Entry of IRGC members into Canada was restricted.
- Any transactions or dealings by Canadian citizens or entities with the IRGC were made illegal.
Canada linked this move to Iran's human rights violations, efforts to destabilize the international order, and the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 (which killed 176 people, including 85 Canadians).
Iran immediately condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international law. Tehran argued that the IRGC is an official branch of its armed forces, and labeling it terrorist amounts to an attack on a sovereign nation's sovereignty. Iran's Response: Reciprocity Under the 2019 Law
Iran based its action on the 2019 law titled "Reciprocal Action Against the US Designation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) As a Terrorist Organization", specifically Article 7.
This law allows reciprocal measures against any country that supports or follows the United States' 2019 designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization.
In its statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry declared: "The Canadian government has violated the fundamental principles of international law by designating the IRGC
— an official branch of Iran's armed forces
— as a terrorist organization. Therefore, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Royal Canadian Navy is identified and declared a terrorist organization."
Iran emphasized that the legal and political consequences of this declaration rest entirely with the Canadian government.
The statement did not detail any practical measures, such as asset seizures, travel bans, or other sanctions. Experts view this primarily as a symbolic and political message, given the lack of significant military or economic ties between the two countries. History of Tensions Between the Two Countries
Diplomatic relations between Iran and Canada have been severed since 2012, when Canada cut ties with Tehran and labeled Iran "the most significant threat to global peace and security."
Since then, multiple rounds of sanctions, accusations, and counter-accusations have continued
Key timeline: - 2019
The United States first designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. - 2019
Iran responded by labeling parts of the U.S. military as terrorist. - June 2024
Canada added the IRGC to its terrorist list. - December 30, 2025
Iran designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization.
Several countries already list the IRGC as terrorist (including the United States, Sweden, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and recently Australia), while Iran views it as a vital component of its national security. Symbolic War or New Escalation?
Iran's decision exemplifies the growing --tit-for-tat politics in international diplomacy.
While Canada sought to pressure Iran by blacklisting the IRGC, Tehran has now targeted Canada's navy in response.
Practical impacts appear limited, but the move highlights the deepening animosity between the two nations.
The international community is now watching whether this development will lead to further tensions or remain confined to statements and rhetoric.
For now, the prospects for peace between Iran and Canada appear more distant than ever.
Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍
Friday World, December 31,2025
