Munich: Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has firmly stated that Canada will not re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran unless there is a regime change. Speaking in an interview with the Globe and Mail during the Munich Security Conference, Anand highlighted the continued human rights violations by the Iranian regime as a significant barrier to restoring ties.

According to Anadolu Agency, Anand emphasized that the Iranian government must cease its illegal human rights violations and adhere to international law and humanitarian standards. In line with this stance, Canada has imposed new sanctions on seven individuals linked to Iranian state bodies accused of intimidating and repressing Iranian dissidents and human rights defenders.

Canada initially severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012 under then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, motivated by concerns over human rights abuses. Since then, Canada has maintained sanctions and trade restrictions, while also engaging in international legal actions related to the downing of a passenger plane carrying Canadians.

In the broader regional context, the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying a second aircraft carrier along with additional destroyers, fighter jets, and surveillance aircraft. Despite these developments, Anand stated that Canada's focus remains on addressing human rights issues and did not comment on whether Canada would support a potential US military strike.