Canada reimposes sanctions on 11 Iranian entities

Canada has announced the reimposition of sanctions on 11 Iranian entities. Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced this decision on November 10, 2026, in Paris, France. These sanctions have been imposed under the 'Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations'. These entities have been targeted for contributing to the Iranian regime's ballistic missile programme, proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities, or the financing of its malicious activities.

According to a report by Global Affairs Canada, these 11 entities were removed from the sanctions list in 2016. In 2015, the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA) agreement was reached with Iran by China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, together with the European Union. Under this agreement, there were provisions for controls on Iran's nuclear programme and further verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in exchange for sanctions relief. In January 2016, the IAEA reported that Iran had permitted verification activities and taken steps to limit its nuclear programme. In view of this progress, Canada eased its autonomous sanctions in February 2016 and released these 11 entities from the list.

However, Iran subsequently showed repeated failure in cooperating with the IAEA. In June 2025, the IAEA Governing Board passed a resolution stating that Iran was not complying with its safeguards obligations. Subsequently, following attacks by Israel and the US, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, leading to the cessation of critical verification and monitoring activities.

In August 2025, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom utilised the 'snapback' mechanism against Iran's non-compliance activities, including the production of highly enriched uranium and inadequate cooperation with the IAEA. As a result, United Nations nuclear-related sanctions that had been removed under the JCPOA were reapplied. When UN sanctions were restored in September 2025, Canada also amended its regulations to implement them. In June 2026, G7 nations reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapons and explained the importance of limits on uranium enrichment as well as effective IAEA verification.

Under the new sanctions, persons residing in Canada and Canadians residing abroad are prohibited from engaging in specified financial or property transactions with these listed entities and individuals. These measures aim to further restrict Iran's access to sensitive technology and sources of funding. This announcement was made during the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Paris, strengthening Canada's efforts to pressure Iran to fulfil its international obligations and resume negotiations.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated, "Canada's position is clear: Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. We will continue to work with our G7 partners and the broader international community towards a comprehensive, verifiable, and sustainable agreement that addresses Iran's nuclear programme and strengthens regional and international security."

According to data from Global Affairs Canada, since 2010, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 500 Iranian individuals and entities under the 'Special Economic Measures Act' (SEMA) and the 'Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act' (also known as the Sergei Magnitsky Law). With this new announcement, Canada has now imposed 25 rounds of sanctions, taking action against 237 Iranian individuals and 276 Iranian entities. These sanctions have been imposed under various regulations, including Special Economic Measures Regulations related to Russia and Hamas terror attacks.

Iran was a non-nuclear-weapon state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which obligated it to refrain from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. In July 2010, in consultation with partners including the United States and the European Union, Canada imposed sanctions for the first time due to Iran's failure to fulfil its international obligations regarding its nuclear programme.