Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, announced the imposition of additional sanctions on four senior Iranian officials under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. The targeted individuals—Mohsen Karimi, Ahmad Kadem Seyedoshohada, Mustafa Mohebbi, and Hassan Akharian—have been implicated in gross and systematic human rights violations and have played significant roles in directing and facilitating repressive policies in Iran.
The sanctions come amid continued crackdowns on protests and dissent in Iran, where security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have used excessive and lethal force to suppress demonstrations. Reports from human rights organizations and United Nations experts have documented arbitrary arrests, beatings, torture, and widespread restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Since October 2022, Canada has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions against Iranian officials and entities responsible for human rights abuses, reflecting its ongoing commitment to holding Iran accountable. This announcement coincides with Canada leading, for the 23rd consecutive year, the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, highlighting the country’s persistent violations and calling for justice and adherence to international human rights obligations.
With the latest measures, Canada has now sanctioned over 210 Iranian individuals and 254 entities. Since 2012, Iran has also been designated by Canada as a state supporter of terrorism, allowing victims of terrorism linked to Iran to seek civil action under Canadian law. Canada continues to lead international efforts through the UN to draw attention to human rights violations in Iran and to press for meaningful reforms.
