Ottawa, Canada – The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed sanctions today, Monday, December 16, 2025, on four senior Iranian officials. The ministry cited their involvement in “gross and systematic human rights violations” and their “prominent role in facilitating and directing repressive policies in Iran.”
The officials included in the sanctions are Mohsen Karimi, Ahmad Khadem Seyed El-Shohada, Mostafa Mohebbi, and Hassan Akhraian.
Details of the Canadian statement
This announcement came in a statement published on the official website of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and signed by Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
The statement noted the continued “repression of protests and dissent” in Iran. It accused Iran of violating its international human rights obligations and cited the use of “excessive and lethal force” to suppress demonstrators.
Part of the statement read: “With today’s announcement, Canada has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions against Iranian officials and entities since October 2022. These officials and entities are responsible for human rights abuses. The sanctions have targeted more than 210 Iranian individuals and 254 Iranian entities.”
Canada’s international commitment against Iran
The Canadian Foreign Ministry also emphasized its pivotal role in introducing the UN General Assembly resolution against the Iranian regime for human rights violations. It wrote: “Canada will not hesitate to highlight Iran’s continued disregard for the rights of its people. It will seek to change this course.”
Canada has been leading the annual United Nations General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in Iran since 2003.
It is worth noting that Canada declared Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism” in 2012. It also listed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in June 2023.
