Iran Decries ‘Extremist Harper Government’ as Canada Shutters Embassy
Iran decried the “extremist government” of Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday after Ottawa severed all diplomatic ties with Tehran over its support for the Syrian regime, rogue nuclear program and threats against Israel.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparst accused Canada of having a “radical foreign policy” that put the interests of Israel ahead of those of Canadians, reported Radio Farda, the Farsi-language version of Radio Free Europe.
The Iranian embassy in Ottawa also took a parting shot at the government, announcing in Farsi on its website that it had shut down due to Canada’s “hostile decision” and “cannot conduct any services for its dear countrymen.”
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement that Canada had closed its embassy in Tehran and that all remaining Iranian diplomatic personnel in Canada had been declared personae non gratae.
“Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran have been suspended. All Canadian diplomatic staff have left Iran, and Iranian diplomats in Ottawa have been instructed to leave within five days,” Minister Baird said.
Canada has also designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. The designation lifts Iran’s state immunity, opening the door for victims of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism to sue Tehran for damages.