Canada and Allies Condemn Iran’s Transnational Threats in Joint Statement

 

In a powerful show of unity, Canada, the United States, and 12 European nations have jointly condemned Iran for what they describe as a “growing number of state threats” targeting individuals across Europe and North America.

The joint statement, released on July 31, 2025, accuses Iranian intelligence services of orchestrating efforts to kill, kidnap, and harass dissidents, journalists, Jewish citizens, and current or former officials abroad. These actions, the countries assert, are a clear violation of national sovereignty and increasingly involve collaboration with international criminal organizations.

Among the most alarming revelations:

• Iran has allegedly hired members of the Hells Angels in Canada to carry out targeted killings.
• Over a dozen senior Iranian regime members have reportedly illegally settled in Canada, sparking concern within the Iranian-Canadian community.
• Former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler was placed under heightened security following an alleged assassination threat linked to Iran.

Canada has taken steps to counter these threats, including listing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and declaring senior Iranian officials inadmissible due to terrorism and human rights violations. However, deportation efforts have faced challenges, with only a few individuals successfully removed from the country.

The coalition of nations is calling on Iran to immediately cease these illegal activities and has pledged to work together to prevent further attacks. The statement underscores the broader concern of transnational repression, which threatens democratic values and human rights globally.