International Journal of Political Science ISSN: 2228-6217 Vol 9, No 1, Spring 2019, (pp.17-34)

Iran and Canada Relations Main Obstacles and Bilateral Perspectives

Majid Bozorgmehri 1*, Sonaz Nasiri 2 1 Department of Political Science, Imam Khomeini International University. Qazvin, and Visitor Scholar, York University, Ontario, Canada 2 Department of Political Science, Payam Nour University, , Iran

Received: 18 March 2018 ; Accepted: 20 Feb 2019

Abstract: Despite Iran’s critical relations with USA since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Canada had often played the role of an honest broker and maintained relations with Iran, con- trary to the US. Although the Canadian Government has not viewed the Iranian regime as democratic actor, it was interested in pursuing diplomacy for moderating the Iranian Policies too. Iran and Canada relations have passed the numerous ups and downs in the diplomatic, political and economic affairs. As our major question, this study aims at in- vestigating the main factors, which affect the structure of bilateral relations. Canada has controlled engagement policy limits talks with Iran down to four main subjects: Iran’s human rights situation, its regional role, notably towards Israel and the Middle East Peace Process, its nuclear program and an unfair accusation claiming a supportive role for Iran in world terrorism. Insisting on the principles of its foreign policy with its own reasonable justifications, Iran has tried to test various ways for conserving some levels of cooperation particularity economic and for keeping so the limited links with North America. Relaying on discourse analysis, the article tries to elaborate the related issues by looking at the perspectives of both parties.

Keywords: Iran, Canada, North America, Middle East, International Security

Introduction The heartland of the ancient civilization of Enjoying an outstanding regional role in Persia, Iran is a resource-rich country at the the Middle East, Iran is constantly a secure cross-roads of Eurasia. Poised between the producer of petroleum energy. Canada is Persian Gulf in the south and the Caspian Sea usually considered as a relative im in the north, Iran is home to a diverse popula- partial country in North America for Iran tion of almost 80,000,000 people. as well as an alternative power when facing *Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

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Iran and Canada Relations Main Obstacles and Bilateral Perspectives

the USA hostilities. and previous works discussing the Iran- Despite Iran’s critical relations with USA Canada relations. There are a few works, since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Canada which have tried to describe or analyze the had often played the role of an honest broker topic. and maintained relations with Iran, contrary De Kerckhove through his interesting re- to the US. Although the Canadian Govern- view entitled “Canada and Iran: Looking ment has not viewed the Islamic Regime in beyond the Present” in 2012 has tried to illu- Iran as democratic actor, it was interested in strate a good and comprehensive review of pursuing diplomacy for moderating the Ira- bilateral relations. De Kerckhove believes in nian Policies too. three topics which must be highlighted in any Iran and Canada relations have passed the effort for improvement of bilateral relations. numerous ups and downs in the diplomatic, He states “Despite feeble diplomatic attempts political and economic affairs. As our major over time, three fundamental differences question, this study aims at investigating the would soon mar any hopes of improvements: main factors, which affect the structure of Iran’s appalling human rights abuses, its an- bilateral relations. tinomy positions on Israel and the Middle Canada has controlled engagement policy East Peace, and the nuclear non-proliferation limits talks with Iran down to four main sub- debate.(De Kerckhove. 2012) He had an jects: Iran’s human rights situation, its re- enough delicacy on the matter but he has gional role, notably towards Israel and the seen the question more with a Canadian in- Middle East Peace Process, its nuclear pro- terpretation rather than an impartial judg- gram and an unfair accusation claiming a ment. supportive role for Iran in world terrorism. Malcolm by his negative look and skeptic- Insisting on the principles of its foreign ism believes in Iran’s covert activities in policy with its own reasonable justifications, Canada. For him, Canada, much like the Iran has tried to test various ways for con- United States, has long been a target of Iran’s serving some levels of cooperation particular- covert foreign operations. He claims that ity economic and keeping so the limited links Iran has a well documented history of using with North America. Canada has also been an Canada as a launching pad for its global fun- appropriate destination for the Iranian immi- draising and money-laundering operations, grants who were and are in majority, high and has been caught openly calling for the level educated. infiltration of Canada’s governing institutions Relaying on discourse analysis, the article and civil society. (Malcolm. 2017) tries to elaborate the related issues by looking Contrary to Malcolm, Nesbitt speaks at the perspectives of both parties. about a likely reestablishment of relations Finally, an optimistic discourse is opened between two countries and tries to find the according to the Iranian perspective. ways to reduce or remove the ob- stacles.(Nesbitt.2012) Previous literature The Standing Senate Committee on For- Under the shadow of great number of studies eign Affairs and International Trade in Cana- covering the Iran`s relations with the west in da prepared a report. The report has identi- general and with U.S.A in North America, fied three critical themes -- Iran’s nuclear we obviously suffer from the lake of sources activities, , and regional

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International Journal of Political Science, Vol 9, No 1, Spring 2019 dynamics – and suggests that these form the tions between Ottawa and Tel Aviv. Canada focus of Canada’s foreign policy towards neglects willingly other acts of terrorism in Iran and the region moving forward. the world, Mussa Zadeh writes. He empha- Although the report has a negative pre- sizes that Iran is itself a victim of terrorism. judgment and discusses more or less the Ira- (Mussa Zadeh, 2017) nian policies with unilateral interpretation, Nour Alivand speaks about the different but it tries to propose some new perspectives approaches of conservative and liberal gov- for more and better cooperation in future. ernments regarding to Iran. But he believes in (Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Af- general that the Canadian foreign policy at fairs and International Trade.2012) least in the Middle East is affected by USA With his interesting paper “Political and policy. He recommends Tehran keeping rela- legal issues between Iran and Canada, Find- tions with Ottawa.(Nour Alivand.2016) ing paths for passing the obstacles” Islami All these works deserve surly a great has tried to analyze the issue somewhat im- consideration but they are mostly prepared partially. By pointing out to the two ap- on base of the unilateral comment and in- proaches of Ottawa in its history of relations terpretation. Most of them try to see the with USA and Great Britain “alliance” and issue from a Canadian perspective. Iran has “bandwagoning”, as Islami names them, he like any other country in the International claims that the Canadian policy vis-à-vis Iran platform, his own attitudes and its reasona- has been shaped under the shadow of these ble comments. So here, by a bilateral as two attitudes. He believes that the economic well as impartial vision, we try to dig dee- and cultural as well as academic ties would per the issue. create better the bases of cooperation in fu- ture. (Islami. 2007) Data & analysis Through one of its reports, Borden Ladner Brief history of relations Gervais publication speaks about softening Before Revolution 1979, on the bilateral lev- sanctions against Iran: A Canadian perspec- el, political contact between Canada and Iran tive. The short report explains the legal ob- throughout the mid-1950s was minimal. stacles for promoting the economic trade Commercial ties were also modest during this with Iran after the Joint Comprehensive Plan period. When Ottawa did weigh in on Iranian of Action (JCPOA). Relying on the report, at matters, it was frequently due to an intersec- present, Canada has imposed economic sanc- tion with British interests there. tions against Iran under both the United Na- Following the exchange of ambassadors tions Act (UN Act) and the Special Economic in 1961, the commercial relationship grew Measures Act (SEMA). Economic sanctions steadily but also slowly and one-sidedly. Pe- imposed under SEMA are much more intru- troleum was the main Iranian export to Cana- sive on Canadian-Iran trade than those im- da. Between 1961 and 1972 Canada received posed under the UN Act. (BLG. 2016) 241 million barrels of oil from the Iran. By By describing the Canadian approach 1970, these petroleum imports were valued at against political terrorism, Mussa Zadeh nearly $34 million annually. However, during claims that Canada has accused unduly Iran the same period, Canada exported only about as supporter of terrorism. For him, this accu- $8 million in goods to Iran each year. sation is only a pretext hiding the close rela- (Bookmiller. 2009. Canada and Iran’ (1971)

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Iran and Canada Relations Main Obstacles and Bilateral Perspectives

Department of External Affairs Monthly Re- Canada`s most important trading partners in port 23, no.10 (1971)) the middle East region. (Arvin. 2017) Hence, Tehran enjoyed a healthy trade The suspicious death of Iranian-Canadian surplus in its dealings with Ottawa during photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in 2003, which this stage of the bilateral commercial rela- died while detained in Tehran's , tionship. resulted in the downgrading of relations. (Ar- In many respects, 1971 was a turning vin.2017) point for Canadian-Iranian bilateral ties. At Some great difficult economic relation- that time, the Trudeau government was seek- ships happened in 2010 and in September ing new trade relationships in a bid to break 2012, then Canada has decided to close its Canada’s heavy reliance on the US as its embassy at Tehran. Canadian government principal trading partner and the inherent enacted a sanction regime governed by the vulnerability that this reliance placed on Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) Canada’s economy. and the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations in 2012, which imposed many After Iranian revolution restrictions trade with Iran, including import In 1980 Canadian embassy at Tehran helped of sensitive goods and technology from Can- US diplomats escape Iran and the embassy ada and nuclear and missiles development. was closed. (Iran Canada Business Council. But in July 14, 2015, UN Security Coun- 2018) cil in cooperation with 5+1 came to an Canada and Iran did not retain normal re- agreement with Iran which was passed as UN lations from 1980 to 1988, though relations Security Council Resolution 223. In 2016, were not formally severed. It was only in the International Atomic Energy Agency con- 1988 that Canada and Iran agreed to resume firmed that Iran has fulfilled all necessary diplomatic relations and the Canadian Em- commitments under JCPOA. Canada an- bassy in Tehran was re-opened. It was only in nounced willingness to resume discussions 1996 that both nations formally exchanged with Iran- possibility of restoring diplomatic ambassadors. Canadian concerns over human contact.(ICBC. 2018) rights abuses in Iran, its record on nuclear non-proliferation, and its opposition to Major Challenges the Middle East peace process have led to a Priorities of both parties Canada policy of 'controlled engagement' by Cana- In order to understand and analyze foreign dian diplomats when dealing with Iran, such policy, it is very necessary to concentrate on as limiting the range of conversation and re- the tangible actions that governments under- stricting bilateral ties; for instance, preventing take. (Marandi. 2016) the establishment of direct air links between Canada has a controlled engagement poli- both countries or the opening of Iranian consu- cy for talks with Iran down to four subjects: lates and cultural centers elsewhere in Canada Iran’s human rights situation, Iran's nuclear other than the main embassy. program and its lack of respect for its non- No formal relationship until 1988 but proliferation obligations, the case of Zahra throughout the 1990s, commercial relations Kazemi, Iran's role in the region. (Kerck- expended rapidly and so Iran became one of hove.2012: 1) and its policy against Israel.

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Standing Senate Committee’s findings in- 5. It is threatened by extra-regional dicate three critical themes that merit contin- existential threats ued attention from the Government of Cana- 6. It is strategically lonely da: Iran’s nuclear activities, its human rights So the most important general prin- record, and unstable regional dynamics. As ciples that determine Iran's foreign policy events in Iran and the region continue to un- behavior include its: fold, these three themes are central to Cana- 1. Anti-arrogance policies da’s ongoing foreign policy towards Iran. 2. Anti-oppression policies Each theme holds its own particular relev- 3. Negation of domination ance for Canadian interests. 4. Support for the oppressed people and Arvin believes in that the Canadian au- liberation movements thorities who follow the file, do not trust 5. Support and defense of Islam and enough the Iranian regime, not just because Muslims across the world of its possible nuclear plans, but also because 6. Peaceful coexistence of its claimed support for terrorist groups, its 7. Anti-colonialism actions in support of Assad in Syria, its bal- 8. Mutual respect listic missiles program, its active electronic 9. Commitment to and compliance with in- army, its regional meddling, and generally its ternational obligations, treaties and laws. internal policies and domestic human rights Strategic ideals of Iranian foreign policy measures. (Arvin. 2017) Iran. take their roots from the dominant political The foreign policy behavior and strategic culture and geopolitical environment. These goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran are Ideals do not prevent some pragmatisms and based on principles which must be accurately compromise policies in the Iranian approach. scrutinized for their correct understanding. (Motaghi.2018) Countries such as Iran have unique characte- For Iran, there is not any definitive proof ristics in terms of their strategic position. indicating or proving the Iranian support for (Mossalanejad.2019) the real terrorist groups in the world. Iran Despite popular belief, Iran's foreign poli- does not look the Hezbollah as a terrorist cy is not exclusively shaped within the con- group. Iran claims that real and main aggres- text of the Islamic discourse and ideolo- sor or destabilizer in the region is Israel, not gy. There are three other discourses, name- Iran. Its nuclear program is pacific and the ly Iranian nationalism, the revolutionary dis- ballistic missiles have just preventive and course, and Third-Worldism, all of which defensive character.(Dehghani Firoozabadi. play a pivotal role in defining the strategic 2017) pillars of Iran’s foreign policy. Iran believes that Hezbollah is a liberation Relying on its mentioned four discourses, movement, using force to legitimately resist Iran figures its indent as below: Israeli occupation. It has evolved into a polit- 1. It is Islamic, revolutionary and ical party, as well, which has won some elec- Iranian tions in Lebanon. (Bahgat.2008) 2. It is a developing country The Islamic Republic, however, denies 3. It is a regional power any involvement in terrorist activities and, it 4. It is located in an unstable region conversely claims that it has been a victim of terrorism. (Katzman.2015) Confrontation

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with terrorist groups and management of re- In 2005, Prime Minister Martin did not gional crisis is a section of Iran’s foreign pol- take kindly to ex-President Ahmadinejad’s icy. (Poostinchi, 2017) infamous October 2005 comments on Israel, Iran’s regional influence, issue of Israel`s and he gave a formal reprimand to Iran's top security and US Policy diplomat in Canada while telling the press: As summarized it Masaeli through her "that kind of lack of respect, intolerance, an- general review, the securitization of Iran by ti-Semitism – this is the 21st century and that Canadian government, was framed around statement is just out of an era that is long past three key threats: the threat to Israel; the and never should have occurred." (Kerck- threat to the people of Iran, which was main- hove. 2012) ly claimed as violations of rights and free- Prime Minister Harper, for his part, hav- doms; and most significantly, the threat to ing enshrined a decidedly more pro-Israel international peace and security, which in- policy, expressed clearly his distaste for cluded Iran’s nuclear ambitions and support Iran’s denial of the Holocaust. (Shari- of terrorist organizations. (Masaeli.2016) fiyan.2009) Speaking about the Iran`s regional role The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a leads us towards a major question. Is it the Canadian Jewish advocacy, claims that geno- expression of a power struggle between the cidal calls for the destruction of Israel from Sunni-dominated Arab states led by Saudi Tehran should be taken very serious. (The Arabia vs. Iran and its allies, including Syria, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.2016) Hamas and Hezbollah, or could it be simply Anthony James Hall reported that since the size, geostrategic position and resources Stephen Harper delivered his notorious of Iran that are at the heart of its influence? speech to the Israeli Knesset in early 2014, Most likely both. The Shia-Sunni dimension the government of Canada has outdone the plays a growing and critical role at a time government of the United States in subordi- when Islamist governments and movements nating its national interest to the political are holding more sway than ever before. agenda of Likudnik-dominated Israel. As Nesbit pointed out the Zionist lobbies (Hall.2015) and negative approach of conservatives in Following the Axis of Evil speech deli- Canada has affected the Canadian policy vered by George Bush, President of USA, against Iran. (Nesbitt.2016) inflammatory characterization of Iran in the Canada has oriented his policy towards Axis of Evil is embedded in Canadian foreign Iran, relying on the accusations projected by policy once the Conservative Party of Prime Iran`s adversaries. Therefore, it is shaped a Minister Stephen Harper achieved a majority strong belief that the Iranian regime is a des- government in 2011.(Hall. 2016) tabilizing force in the region and a threat to From the day he took office, Stephen international peace and stability. In addition, Harper made relations with Israel a signifi- the tensions between Iran and Israel as one of cant international policy priority. Prioritizing the main concerns facing the region. In this Israel was therefore all but inevitable, regard- context, Iran’s nuclear policies present an less of the Conservatives` strength in the existential threat to Israel, leading Israel to House (Chapnick. 2016) threaten to pre-emptively strike Iran’s nuclear Terrorism and false accusation to Iran as facilities. (Standing Senate Committee.2012) violator of International Peace and Security.

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On September 7, 2012, Canada designated Hezbollah are listed terrorist entities. Hezbol- Iran as a state supporter of terrorism. Pur- lah has been responsible for attacks in Leba- suant to the Justice for Victims of Terrorism non and Israel and, most recently, egregious Act, and related amendments to the State violations in support of the Assad regime in Immunity Act, Canada has revoked Iran's Syria. More to the point, the Qods force is state immunity in relation to any actions not just supported by Iran; it is an elite part of brought against Iran in connection with its the Iranian regime itself. (Nesbitt. 2016) support of terrorism. Since that time, diplo- matic relations between Canada and Iran Iran`s Nuclear Program have been suspended. (Borden Ladner Ger- Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been the sub- vais LLP.2016) ject of global hand wringing for more than The readings of Senate Bill S-219 "An Act two decades. While Iran’s leaders long in- to Deter Iran sponsored terrorism," which sisted the country was not building nuclear passed, has imposed some of the most re- weapons, its enrichment of uranium created strictive sanctions on Iran, and potentially unfairly some mistrust. After more than two stall the prospect of re-establishing diplomat- years of negotiations and threats to bomb the ic relations with Iran. (Arvin.2017) country’s facilities, Iran and world pow- Canadian sanctions are governed by um- ers agreed in 2015 to settle the dispute. The brella legislation, the Special Economic deal set limits on the Islamic Republic’s nuc- Measures Act, SC 1992, c 17 (SEMA). In lear work in exchange for relief from eco- relevant part, section 4(1) of the SEMA nomic sanctions that crimped oil exports states: “The Governor in Council may, for and hobbled its economy. (Tirone. 2018) the purpose of implementing a decision, reso- After several rounds of negotiations, on lution or recommendation of an international 24 November 2013, the Joint Comprehensive organization of states or association of states, Plan of Action (JCPOA), an interim agree- of which Canada is a member, that calls on ment on the Iranian nuclear program, was its members to take economic measures signed between Iran and the P5+1 country against a foreign state, or where the Governor in Geneva, Switzerland. JCPOA tops the list in Council is of the opinion that a grave of Iran`s foreign policy priorities. Iran aims breach of international peace and security has to guarantee the full implementation of the occurred that has resulted or is likely to result JCPOA by all the signatories to the deal. The in a serious international crisis,” (Nesbitt. main goal of the agreement was to lift eco- 2016) nomic sanctions imposed on Iran over its On 7 September 2012 Canada shuttered nuclear program so that the economic bene- its Embassy in Iran, “PNG’d” Iranian diplo- fits of the deal would allow Iran to pursue all- mats (the colloquial diplomatic term used to out economic progress and development. say that they were issued “persona non grata” Therefore, Iran has announced that it will papers and required to leave the country), and remain committed to the JCPOA as long as listed Iran as a state sponsor of terror under this primary goal is met and all other parties the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, SC remain committed to it. Otherwise, it would 2012, c 1. not be in Iran's interests to remain in the nuc- Under Canada’s Criminal Code, RSC lear deal. All political factions in Iran are 1985, c C-46, both the al-Qods Force and unanimous in this regard. The main bone

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Iran and Canada Relations Main Obstacles and Bilateral Perspectives

of contention and disagreements here are Targeting second-generation Canadian about the violations of the JCPOA by the children of Iranian origin, one course used United States, the degree to which Iran has textbooks that included Islamic Republic benefited by it, the preservation of the ideas and images that glorified child soldiers, JCPOA after US withdrawal. suicide bombers and martyrdom, as well as So it is proven that Iran is committed to prominent and complementary photographs JCPOA based on the frequent and official of Ayatollah Khomeini. (Assadollahi. 2016) reports of the International Atomic Energy Diplomatic spat over representation in Agency (IAEA). Therefore, Iran has a logic each other’s capital. expectation from the Europe and Canada to Iran ordered Ambassador Mundy to leave remove the sanctions relating to its previous the country in early December 2007. Mundy, peaceful atomic energy. who was never allowed by the IRI to formal- False accusations charging the Iranian re- ly present his credentials despite being pub- gime for conspiracy in Canada licly named ambassador in April, was ex- There is the claim or better to say the false pelled in retaliation for Ottawa rejecting at accusation relating to Iran’s activities in Can- least two individuals Tehran had put forth as ada centered on its proxy group, Hezbollah. its representative. Iran had not had an ambas- Relying on it, Canadian territory has been an sador in Canada since 2004. The embassy important source of financing for the Iranian- was headed at the chargé d’affaires. (Book- backed Lebanese Shi’ite militia. miller.2009) The case of Mohammad Hassan Dbouk is According to published accounts, the Ira- one the accusations on the organization’s nian diplomats had previously served as am- stronghold in Canada. After arriving in Van- bassadors to Germany and the former USSR. couver and seeking refugee status in Canada Canadian officials believed that both candi- in 1998, Dbouk established a major fundrais- dates had been involved with the US hostage ing and procurement network in Canada un- crisis of 1979-81. (Bookmiller.2009) der the command of Haj Hassan Hilu Laqis, As a consequence, Ottawa would not ac- then-chief military procurement officer of cept either man as Iran’s envoy. (Free- Hezbollah.(Malcolm.2017) man.2008) (Nour Alivand.2016) Apart from Hezbollah, it is also falsely Foreign Minister Bernier explained, “We claimed that the Iranian regime had its own believe that the expulsion of our ambassador is direct reach into Canada vis-à-vis its embassy an unfortunate and unjustified consequence of in Ottawa. Prior to the 2012 closing of the this situation. As always, Canada remains pre- Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, sources believed pared to receive an Iranian ambassador pro- that the Islamic Republic was using its em- vided a suitable candidate is presented Bilateral bassy to build a network of sympathizers and Meltdown: Death of Canadian-Iranian citizens allies. Among its activities, for instance, the in Iranian prisons during the political custody. Islamic Republic’s embassy worked with the local public school board in Ottawa to devel- The Zahra Kazemi death Case op courses on Iranian culture and language. On June 23, 2003, Zahra Kazemi, a dual citi- (Assadollahi. 2016). But it is not deniable zen, was arrested while taking illegally pic- that these kinds of cultural activities cannot tures of student protests in front of the noto- be assumed as conspiracy. rious Evin prison in Tehran. She was see-

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International Journal of Political Science, Vol 9, No 1, Spring 2019 mingly beaten by accident and security au- When Kazemi was buried in Shiraz on July thorities reluctantly admitted her into a hos- 23, Chrétien recalled Ambassador Philip pital. Family members were notified of her MacKinnon in protest. (Bookmiller.2009) condition and whereabouts a week later. One of the first indications of this new Since Iran does not recognize subsequent policy was at the Third Committee of the UN citizenships, the Canadian Embassy was not General Assembly in November 2003. Cana- informed. She had presented her Iranian da sponsored a resolution condemning Iran’s passport on entry to Iran. The aim of her tra- human rights record and directed the cam- vel to Iran was to visit with her family in Shi- paign for its passage. Although Ottawa de- raz, not working as a foreign journalist. nied its actions were spurred by the Kazemi Indeed, consular officials only became case, the vigor in which it moved the resolu- aware of the situation when the Kazemi fami- tion to a successful vote in committee left no ly contacted them requesting assistance on doubt about the seriousness of its intentions.. July 7. Over the next three days, embassy As the controversy over Kazemi lingered, staff visited the hospital seeking information Tehran sought to interject the case of Keyvan about her condition and the circumstances Tabesh into the mix. Tabesh was an 18 year which led to her injuries. In Ottawa, Ambas- old Iranian immigrant who was shot and sador Mousavi was summoned to a meeting at killed by British Columbia police on July 14, DFAIT, where he was presented with a formal 2003. Tabesh was wielding a machete at of- Canadian request for an investigation. Foreign ficers prior to being killed. Kharrazi raised Ministry officials also solicited the Ambassa- the issue directly with Graham on numerous dor’s help in securing alternate medical treat- occasions. (Bookmiller.2009) ment for Kazemi. However, her injuries were In July 2004, as the trial for shortly the- too extensive and she died on July 12. reafter Iran’s judiciary issued a statement By now, the highest levels of both gov- claiming her death was accidental “due to a ernments were involved. Khatami, Iranian fall in blood pressure resulting from a hunger President announced an inquiry into her ar- strike and her fall on the ground while stand- rest and death. In Ottawa, from Chrétien on ing.” DFAIT rejected the statement as lack- down, statements were issued demanding a ing in any credibility. transparent investigation. Graham called As the trial ended, many Iranian officials Kharrazi with this message and Manley failed to grasp the depth of Canadian anger stated publicly that the warming bilateral re- over Kazemi’s murder and the failed legal lationship would be jeopardized if her death proceedings as well as how extensively the was not satisfactorily explained. The two case was being covered by the media back in sides remained at loggerheads over numerous Canada. Indicative of this misread was a issues including the disposition of Kazemi’s statement by an IRI Foreign Ministry body. Tehran maintained that her family spokesman. “The issue of Zahra Kazemi will wished her be interred in Iran, while Ottawa not affect our relationship with Canada,” as- insisted that her Montreal-based son wanted serted Hamid Reza Asefi, “because Zahra the remains repatriated back to Canada. Un- Kazemi was an Iranian citizen and this has derlining the issue of burial was also having nothing to do with Canada.” (Bookmil- the opportunity to perform an independent ler.2009) Suicide of sociology professor in autopsy to determine the cause of her death. prison

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The healthy 64-year-old Kavous Seyed- Canadian troops in . He accused Emami was a sociology professor and well- Tehran of supplying insurgent forces with the known environmentalist who ran the Persian improvised explosive devices (IEDs) respon- Wildlife Heritage Foundation from Tehran. sible for many of the Canadian deaths in Well-liked among his colleagues and stu- Afghanistan. This was the first time that such dents, he had launched projects to track rare an accusation had been made publicly by a and endangered animals, such as the Persian governmental minister. (Mackay. 2007) leopard, while he conducted research on en- vironmental issues. Iranian perspective, an optimiste discours. But his work came to an end after he was Terrorism arrested suddenly in January and charged of It is not deniable that Iran is fighting extrem- spying for Israel and the CIA. He was held ist terrorism; Iran is protecting vulnerable for just a few weeks before he allegedly minorities; Iran is a needed counterweight to committed suicide in prison in early Febru- the corrupt Saudis; Iran best represents the ary. Officials in Iran report that he had con- aspirations of the Palestinians, whose plight fessed to his crimes prior to his death, adding still defines the core of the Middle East’s that he was part of a conspiracy to collect problems; Iran’s growing power guarantees a classified information under the guise of multipolar, and therefore safer, international "scientific and environmental projects." system. Iran has been and is now victim of Emami's foundation had set up cameras to blind terrorism. track rare animals in the wilderness. No need to say that to many, Hezbollah is The cameras, together with the foundation’s a liberation movement, using force to legiti- communication with international experts, mately resist Israeli occupation. It has were used to fuel accusations that Emami and evolved into a political party, as well, which other employees were engaged in espionage.( has just won an election in Lebanon MAZA.2018) Iran denies any involvement in terrorist Canada's Minister of Foreign Af- activities and conversely claims that it has fairs Chrystia Freeland offered her condo- been a victim of it. Despite ex-President lences and stated that Canada expects "the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s inflammatory rhe- Government of Iran to provide information toric regarding Israel, many Iranian officials and answers into the circumstances surround- and commentators believe that their country ing this tragedy." She welcomed the return of has no national interest conflict with the Jew- Seyed-Emami's sons back to Canada in ish state. Many Iranians believe that Tehran March 2018 and asked the Government of has already paid a high price for its position Iran to lift the travel ban on Seyed-Emami's with regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict. spouse, Maryam Mombeini. (Global Affairs (Bahgat.2008) Canada. 2018 a b) Under the SEMA there must be a breach Accusations charging Iran for supplying of international peace and security – wording insurgent forces that caused the Canadian that goes beyond a “threat” of a breach. Can- soldiers death in Afghanistan. ada cannot designate Iranian persons or enti- The new chill in the relationship was also ties for threats to international peace and se- evident in statements made by Defense Mi- curity, or for “mere” human rights abuses, or nister MacKay on a Christmas 2007 visit to even for sponsorship of terrorism, unless it

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International Journal of Political Science, Vol 9, No 1, Spring 2019 would be found that they rise to the level of a tee the full implementation of the JCPOA by breach of “international peace and security”. all the signatories to the deal. The main goal But about sanctions, it should be notified of the agreement was to lift economic sanc- that they are in general ineffective instru- tions imposed on Iran over its nuclear pro- ments to pressure a change in behavior of the gram so that the economic benefits of the target regime because “the real pain of sanc- deal would allow Iran to pursue all-out eco- tions is rarely felt by the government. Instead nomic progress and development. Therefore, of the government feeling the pinch, it passes Iran has announced that it will remain com- it on to the citizens. mitted to the JCPOA as long as this primary The negative impact of sanctions weights goal is met and all other parties remain com- seriously on the Iranian people. Economic mitted to it. sanctions, are a kind of lose-lose situation for So it is proven that Iran is committed to the people and their quest for democracy and JCPOA based on the frequent and official human rights. If the sanctions actually do not reports of the International Atomic Energy work, then their failure would justify war for Agency (IAEA). Therefore, Iran has a logic those who advocate war and war is a losing expectation from the Europe and Canada to situation for the people. If sanctions work, it is remove the sanctions relating to its previous again a lose situation because they will have peaceful atomic energy. punished the people; they will have weakened Many countries including Canada have the middle class, which is driving for democra- nuclear energy programs. The question of cy and they will have intensified corruption, how best to produce energy for various in- smuggling, and the shadow economy. dustrial purposes is of course one of the most The Canadian government takes no notice pressing and controversial global issues of whatsoever of the fact the Iranian Armed our time. Forces are actively engaged in fighting the It should be admitted that, however, why strange militarized monstrosity named it has become an important point of principle wrongly and mischievously the Islamic State. and pride within Iran that it has the same le- A related set of questions asks why the gal right as every other country to produce Canadian government is treating Iran as the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. most significant threat to global peace and The Iranian government stands accused of security in the world today when Iran is op- stealth in misrepresenting the true nature of posing the exploits of the so-called Islamic its nuclear program. Such accusations would State, the non-state. better be directed at the nuclear superpowers including the United States, Russia, China, Nuclear Program , and Israel. Together and individually Not neglect issue of nuclear program. After these states possess huge arsenals of weapons several rounds of negotiations, on 24 No- of mass destruction and are pursuing many vember 2013, the Joint Comprehensive Plan secret avenues to create new technologies of of Action (JCPOA), an interim agreement on nuclearized mass murder. the Iranian nuclear program, was signed be- Canada`s close relations with USA. When tween Iran and the P5+1 country in Geneva, speak about Canada`s policies relating to Switzerland. JCPOA tops the list of Iran`s Iran, we should not neglect the close relations foreign policy priorities. Iran aims to guaran- between USA and Canada. Canadian and

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American`s solidarity has been seriously Anthony James Hall looks the issue so. emerged by close military allies in World Based on his view, the Harper government’s War II, a partnership that was deepened and characterization of both the domestic condi- institutionalized during the Cold War years tion and the international orientation of Iran of the 1950s. Joined at the hip by geography, in 2012 were and is now grossly inaccurate. history, and economics, relations between the Canadian foreign policy towards Iran is ill two nations were marked by quiet diplomacy considered and inconsistent with Canada’s that was founded on close personal contacts genuine national interests, but especially its and shared understandings. economic, cultural and geopolitical interests. Canada is partly a follower of USA for- James Hall believes in that as long as the eign Policy in the Middle East issues, includ- Canadian government continues as a prota- ing Iran. As Allan Gotlieb states over the past gonist in this economic warfare, many Cana- 60 years, Canada’s strategies on the interna- dian enterprises that are anxious to conduct tional plane have largely been driven by the business with their Iranian counterparts will concerns about the relationship with the continue to be hampered. United States. In the drama of Canada’s for- Government interventions in the impera- eign policy, the U.S. is always the principal tives of free trade will continue to deprive actor; at the table where Canadians prepare Canadian companies of a secure legal the ingredients of their foreign policy, the framework to interact commercially with a U.S. is always the principal guest; when Ca- relatively stable, resource rich and technolo- nadians assemble to discuss their needs and gically sophisticated country, one whose well destiny, the spectra of the U.S. is always educated population includes a very high there to dominate their thoughts. (Got- proportion of university-educated women. lieb.2013) (James Hall. 2015) Therefore, the shadow of USA policies is Hall claims that since 2012 the policy of bold and significant on the Canadian foreign the Canadian government towards Iran is policy concerning Middle East, particularity pretty much based on Prime Minister Neta- Iran. nyahu’s articulation of Israel’s orientation to As Ferry de Kerckhove remarks, the West Iran. As in so many fields of Canadian for- see the Iranian regime through some Western eign policy, the Harper government’s posi- prism and hope for an uprising. But the West tion on Iran extends the policies of Likudnik must try to better understand – not accept – dominated Israel. The underlying understand- the rationalities underlying Iran’s behavior ing on which these policies are based is that rather than creating its rationalities. Engage- the Islamic structure of Iran’s Shia constitu- ment, under strict conditions, including the tion must be overturned by encouraging, fo- recognition of a mutual interest in changed menting and assisting dissidence from within. relationships, might better lead to long term The determination of Canadian federal stability. Negotiations must be conducted on government to take sides in the monumental an equal footing, irrespective of the profound geopolitical rift developing between the Jew- dislike for the regime at the helm of the coun- ish state of Israel and the Islamic Republic of try. This entails for Canada to take specific Iran puts Canada dramatically out of out of measures. (De Kerckhove. 2012) line with the current position of the US ex- ecutive branch. Indeed, the alignment of the

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Canadian government with the position of the comprehensive economic diplomacy in order US Republican Party to facilitate the economic development of the Senators that have sided with Benjamin country. To this end, Iran is endeavoring to Netanyahu to undermine the power of the US expand its economic relations with other presidency have huge implications for Cana- countries and in North America with Canada. da’s position in the world. The argument offered by the Rouhani gov- In the process the idealism attached to the ernment is that Iran's national economy has vision of Canada as a land of justice, fairness, so far been at the service of the country’s compromise, multiculturalism and reconcilia- foreign policy; but the time has come for for- tion on the middle ground has been down- eign policy to serve and help the economic graded. In the place of this idealism there has development of the country. Similarly, Iran's emerged a triumphalist coalition who’s most Supreme Leader has also set economic de- strident voices call for victory over the much- velopments as one of the main objectives of hyped and politically manipulated Muslim the country, to be pursued by the government enemy. David Frum is one of those voices. at home and abroad. The co-author of an Islamophobic instruc- Canadian businesses would be at a distinct tional manual on How to Win the War on disadvantage if they were left unable to en- Terror and thereby put An End to Evil, he gage with Iran while their competitors were gives a Canadian twist to the convergence of free to negotiate. A good example is the Ca- many historical forces in George Bush’s in- nadian company Bombardier, surely tempted famous Axis of Evil speech. by Iran’s needs in the airplane and train in- dustries. (Nesbitt.2016) Promoting commercial and economic Here it is the table showing the bilateral Cooperation exports between 2006-2015. One important priority of Iran is to bolster a

Table 1. Bilateral Exports between 2006-2015 (Nour Alivand.2016) Year 2015 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 272.246 Canada`s Export to Iran 40 95 115 373.005 638.687 254.689 Million US $ Iran`s Export to Canada 5 40 37 21.686 37.389 41.683 39.238

The tables indicates that during 2015- for the significant increase in trade ex- 2017 when there was a bilateral will for change. (Statistics/Industry Canada.2018) reducing the obstacles, the path was opened

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Fig 1. Bilateral trade between two countries (Statistics/Industry Canada.2018)

Fig 2. Canadian Imports from Iran in 2017(Statistics/Industry Canada.2018) (Statistics/Industry Canada.2018)

Fig 4: Canadian Exports to Iran in 2017(Statistics/Industry Canada.2018)

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Through these statistics, a great potentiali- is. Some human rights violations have taken ty for increasing the bilateral trade is ex- place in the Islamic Republic. One of them posed. concerns the death of a Zahra Kazemi, a Ca- nadian citizen that met her death in an Iranian Conclusion prison in 2003. Contrary to mutual disagreements which had Unfortunately human right violations take full of ups and downs, there are no legal and place in all countries including Canada. The deep obstacles to re-establishing relations federal government’s refusal to investigate with Iran that cannot be overcome, though the disappearance and murder of an obscene the designation of Iran as a state sponsor of number of Aboriginal women is an example terror certainly made optimistic probabilities of human right violations in Canada. Many politically very difficult. Aboriginal boys and men are also subject to The Islamic Revolution in Iran is now all manner of abuses aimed at First Nations over 40 years old. Over these decades the by the neoconservatives who are no more Islamic Revolution has created the basis of a respectful of Aboriginal rights and titles in fairly stable and well-organized society with Canada than they are of the fundamental hu- considerable gave and takes among a plura- man rights of the still stateless Palestinian listic array of distinct communities and con- people. stituencies. As my final concluding remark, there There are some serious critics regarding should be a more strong willingness between the Iranian policies argued by the Iranian two parties for improvement of relations. Ot- elites. A number of Iranian elites suppose tawa must try to be more independent in its that the main problem of Iranian Identity is policies towards Iran. Tehran must try to be now its ideological feature which could be more trustable and transparent in its regional abused by the political regimes. (Haidari. policies too. 2014) But we should not exaggerate about the problems and challenges. Acknowledgment Two countries can establish the bases for Here I should declare my deep gratitude from commercial and economic cooperation. department of Politics in York University, Of course Iran is not perfect. No country Ontario, Canada, for providing me this good opportunity to accomplish this research.

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