Canadian Court Ruling to Seize Iran’s Assets: FM Reaction

A court in Canada has issued a verdict giving $13m of Iran’s non-diplomatic assets to the families of Americans who died in several attacks blamed on Iran.

This is while Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion confirmed on Friday that Ottawa has started “official” talks with Tehran in an attempt to renew ties with the Islamic Republic following a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said that the court’s move is against Canada’s claims on the normalization of bilateral ties.

“The move by the Canadian government contradicts claims about the normalization of relations between the two countries and compensation for the extremist policies of the country’s former government,” he added.

He further noted that the move is “A political ruling based on groundless allegations”.

The spokesman further said Iran regards the move as “A new step in the direction of the hostile policies of the former extremist government of Canada….”

Jaberi Ansari once again reiterated that any normalization of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Ottawa requires a fundamental revision of the previous extremist and incorrect policies of the Canadian government, such as the violation of the judicial immunity of the Iranian government.

The Islamic Republic reiterates to the Canadian government its international responsibility to protect Iranian assets in that country, he concluded.