Iran welcomes amicable relations with Canada

Iran would welcome reinforcing relations with Canada, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said here on Monday.

Hossein Jaber Ansari made the remarks at his weekly press briefing in Tehran.

Commenting on Canada’s severing diplomatic relations with Iran, he said the fresh stance of the new Canadian government has been announced in mass media.

‘The ex-Canadian government severed its relations with Iran and we hope the new Canadian government would practice proper political and diplomatic measures aimed at fostering relations with Iran,’ he added.

‘Iran did not cut its relations with Canada and naturally Tehran would welcome amicable relations with Ottawa,’ he added.

Canadian ex-Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s administration severed diplomatic relations with Iran in September 2012, citing, among other pretexts, what it described as continued threats from Iran to Israel.

Back then, the Canadian government closed its embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and demanded that Iranian diplomats leave Canada within five days.

The two countries maintain interest sections in the embassies of third countries.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.