Iran expects ‘practical’ Canada steps before ties reset

Iran welcomes Canada’s willingness to resume ties with the Islamic Republic, but expects Ottawa to take practical steps first.

On March 9, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who took office in November 2015, reiterated his desire to see his country’s embassy reopen in Tehran, but said reestablishing relations with Iran is a long process that is just beginning.

In reaction to Trudeau’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said that Tehran holds a positive view towards the Canadian government’s change of position.

“If this approach is combined with a more realistic viewpoint towards regional and international issues as well as bilateral ties with different countries, we can be optimistic about the future and we welcome it,” he said.

Jaberi Ansari said Canada initiated the severance of diplomatic ties between the two countries, stressing that the resumption of bilateral relations depends on Ottawa’s practical steps.

Iran holds a “positive view” toward Ottawa’s new position but believes that “the Canadian government needs to show in practice that it is keen to restore ties based on equal footing and non-interference in [Iran's] internal affairs as well as mutual respect and interests,” the Iranian official stressed.

The former Canadian government, a strong ally of Israel, cut ties with Iran in September 2012, citing, among other pretexts, Iran's anti-Zionist stance.

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

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