meta_id 3519340

On September 23, 2026, Global Affairs Canada announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions against five individuals and five entities under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. The sanctions target senior Iranian security and government officials, as well as state-directed entities, for their role in the Iranian regime's brutal repression of its population and involvement in digital repression and serious human rights violations. The sanctioned individuals and entities have contributed to Iran's efforts to suppress dissent and restrict fundamental freedoms, including through digital surveillance, censorship, unlawful violence, arbitrary detention, and intimidation. The Iranian regime continues to control information flow and restrict freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly by developing and using cyber infrastructure to monitor and target Iranian individuals expressing dissenting views. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said Canada is using every tool at its disposal, including targeted sanctions, to respond to the Iranian regime's conduct and stands firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of human rights and dignity. The announcement aligns with measures taken by like-minded international partners and contributes to coordinated international efforts to increase pressure on Iran for its persistent disregard for human rights. The timing coincides with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Canada has led the UN General Assembly resolution on human rights in Iran since 2003. Since October 2022, Canada has imposed 24 rounds of sanctions against 237 Iranian individuals and 265 Iranian entities under various sanctions regulations, including the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.