Canada on Friday announced the inclusion of Iran and Syria in the list of entities "supporting terrorism." "Canada is committed to fight against terrorism and compel those responsible for terrorist acts and those who support them to be responsible for their actions," said the Canadian FM John Baird said in a statement.
"Improving resilience against terrorism is a priority for our government" , said for his part, the Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews . "Canada recognizes the victims of terrorism and it gives them the means to obtain justice" . Canadian law on "justice for the victims of terrorism" allows them to "prosecute those responsible for terrorist acts and those who support them, including foreign states on the list established by the Government for losses and damages they have suffered as a result of a terrorist act anywhere in the world " , the statement said.
Earlier in the day, Canada has announced the immediate closure of its embassy in Iran and the expulsion of all Iranian diplomats still based in Canada. "The Iranian regime has increased military support to the regime of Assad, it refuses to comply with UN resolutions regarding its program nuclear , it regularly threatens to end the existence of Israel and expressing anti-Semitic and racist stances," said Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran have been suspended. The entire Canadian diplomatic staff left Iran, and Iranian diplomats in Ottawa ordered to leave the country within five days," said Mr. Baird. "Canada considers the Iranian government as the most significant threat against the peace and security in the world. "
Earlier, London called the European Union to declare new sanctions against Tehran because of stalled negotiations on its controversial nuclear program. "It is necessary to increase pressure on Iran to intensify sanctions," said British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday upon his arrival at a meeting of European Ministers in Paphos ( Cyprus ).
