Iran: Canada's Designation of the "Revolutionary Guard" as a Terrorist Organization is a Provocative Move

The semi-official Iranian news agency "Fars" reported today, Thursday, that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated that Iran condemns Canada's designation of the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, describing it as an "ill-advised, unconventional move with political motives and provocative." Kanaani said, "Canada's step will have no impact on the legitimacy of the Revolutionary Guard and its deterrent power," adding that Tehran reserves the right to respond to this designation. Canada added the Revolutionary Guard to its list of terrorist organizations yesterday, Wednesday, a move that could lead to an investigation against senior former Iranian officials currently residing in Canada. The United States made a similar move designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization in 2019. Western countries accuse the Revolutionary Guard of conducting a global campaign of terrorism. Iran rejects those accusations and emphasizes that the Revolutionary Guard is a sovereign institution responsible for protecting the country's national security.