Tehran faces new crisis: Canada sells mullahs’ property to victims of Iranian terrorism

Nora Bandari

In a severe blow to the mullahs’ regime, the Canadian government on Friday, September 13 confiscated and sold Iranian government property in Canada, and its proceeds were handed over to victims of terrorist attacks by Iranian-backed extremist groups.

According to a report published by the Canadian website Global News, a document issued by the Ontario Supreme Court in August states that the sale of these properties, which amounted to more than $28 million, went to the victims of operations carried out by Hamas and Hezbollah – terrorist groups financed, armed and trained by Iran.

One of the properties sold was the Iranian Cultural Center in Ottawa, which was confiscated and sold to a Montreal real estate developer for $26.5 million. Another property, in Toronto, was owned by a company headed by an official at the Iranian embassy and served as a center for Iranian studies; it sold for $1.85 million. In addition to proceeds from the sales of properties, victims were given $2.6 million confiscated from Iranian bank accounts.

Canadian lawyer Albert Gillman, who was appointed by the court to monitor the operation, confirmed that the money had been distributed to the claimants as authorized by the court on August 7. He announced that the property was owned by Iran and that there was evidence one of the properties sold in Ottawa belonged to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Canadian Coalition Against Terrorism, which has sought to change Canadian laws so that victims can obtain compensation from states sponsoring terrorism, is pleased that Tehran has been held accountable.

Danny Eisen, a spokesman for the coalition, noted that the Iranian regime is tirelessly and shamelessly funding terrorist organizations with tens of billions of dollars, destroying innocent lives around the world, including those of Canadians.

According to the Canadian report, the redistribution of Iran’s assets marks the possible end of the process that began seven years ago when the former Canadian government designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. Under the Justice for Terrorism Victims Act enacted in 2012, victims can use the courts to seek compensation from such states. Only Iran and Syria have been designated as state sponsors of terrorism.

Severing diplomatic relations

Iranian-Canadian relations have been tense for nearly 40 years due to Canada’s condemnation of Iranian policy towards the Arab region and the world. In 2012, the Canadian government decided to sever diplomatic relations with Iran and withdrew its diplomats from Tehran. Iranian diplomats in the Canadian capital Ottawa have been given five days to leave the country because of Tehran’s nuclear program and support for terrorist groups.

In June, the Canadian government designated the IRGC a terrorist organization because of the Iranian regime’s continued support for terrorism around the world. The government demanded that Tehran release Canadian-Iranian dual-nationals or those with permanent residence in Canada who are in Iranian prisons.

Tehran warns Canada

After the Canadian decision on September 13, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi condemned the sale of Iranian cultural buildings in Canada, calling it illegal and a flagrant violation of international law, stressing that the Iranian government will not compromise with any other government. When it comes to protecting the rights of its citizens, he called on the Canadian authorities to immediately return the buildings and properties.

Mousavi warned that if the resolution was not revoked and the damages compensated, Tehran would take action on its own under international regulations to restore its rights, in which case the Canadian government would be responsible for all consequences.

International arbitration

Regarding the fate of the crisis between Canada and Iran, and the measures that Tehran will take in this regard, Iranian affairs expert Ahmad al-Anani said that the coming period will witness a deep crisis and reciprocal escalation between Canada and Iran, adding that the mullah regime may appeal to the United Nations to file a complaint against Canada.

Anani added that Canada’s decision to sell Iranian property is a punishment for Tehran’s destabilizing policies, confirming to the international community that Tehran is a state sponsor of terrorism and against minorities. This could prompt other countries to follow the same Canadian approach and to address all abuses by the mullahs.