Minister ‘concerned’ about Iranian terrorist cells in Canada after U.S. airstrikes
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has expressed deep concern about the potential for foreign interference by Iran’s regime and the activation of terrorist sleeper cells on Canadian soil following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Anand’s remarks come in response to a Globe and Mail report quoting former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler, who warned about the possibility of Iran using these cells to target critics of the regime in Canada.
Speaking to Canadian media while at the NATO summit in the Hague, Anand emphasized the government’s vigilance in addressing threats posed by Iran. She highlighted the need to remain vigilant against foreign interference and underscored the government’s broader concerns about the Iranian regime.
Cotler, a prominent human rights advocate, previously revealed that he was under police protection due to threats on his life. The RCMP informed him of a plot by agents of Iran’s regime to assassinate him, underscoring the real and present danger posed by Iranian operatives in Canada.
In the United States, FBI officials are reportedly on high alert for Iranian sleeper cells comprising terrorists or spies who may be living undetected in Western countries. These individuals could be activated to carry out violent acts upon receiving orders from Tehran.
Prior to the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran reportedly issued warnings to President Donald Trump about potential terrorist attacks in the U.S., carried out by sleeper cells within the country. This heightened alert prompted the Department of Homeland Security to issue a national terrorism advisory, cautioning the public about the increased risk of violent extremist mobilization.
In response to concerns about Iranian terrorism, Anand highlighted Canada’s designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and the severing of diplomatic ties with Iran over a decade ago. She reiterated the government’s commitment to taking foreign interference seriously and advocating for security measures at international forums like NATO and the G7.
Anand also disclosed an “unprecedented call” with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of Canadians in Iran, de-escalating conflicts with Israel, and seeking justice for the victims of Flight PS752. The call marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries, despite Canada’s lack of formal diplomatic relations with Iran since 2012.
As concerns about Iranian sleeper cells grow in Canada, human rights lawyer Mojdeh Shahriari echoed Cotler’s apprehensions. Shahriari, a co-founder of StopIRGC, a group tracking suspected Iranian regime members in Canada, emphasized the need for vigilance against potential threats from individuals affiliated with the regime.
In response to these threats, the Canadian government has taken steps to designate Iran as a regime engaged in terrorism and human rights violations, making senior Iranian officials inadmissible to the country. The Canada Border Services Agency has revoked visas for numerous suspected regime members and issued deportation orders for individuals found to be senior officials in the Iranian hierarchy.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist about the presence of Iranian regime affiliates and IRGC members in Canada, raising fears of potential terrorist activities on Canadian soil. As the government continues to address these threats, the need for heightened security measures and vigilance remains paramount in safeguarding against foreign interference and ensuring the safety of Canadians.
