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Canada imposes new sanctions against Iran drone manufacturers, human rights violators – JURIST

Canada Wednesday imposed a new round of sanctions against the Iranian regime. The new sanctions add two weapons manufacturing companies and six individuals to the list of regime supporters sanctioned under Canada’s Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the fifth round of sanctions Canada has imposed against the Iranian regime this year.The sanctions target six senior officials accused of committing human rights violations, particularly during “brutal crackdowns on protesters.”Canada’s new sanctions also target two Iranian weapons manufacturing companies: Shahed Aviation Industries and Qods Aviation Industries. Canada claims the entities supplied Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones used during the invasion of Ukraine. On Tuesday, the United States also imposed sanctions against Shahed Aviation Industries.Commenting on the sanctions, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said, “Canada is committed to standing by the people of Iran as they courageously fight for their human rights. Canada will not hesitate to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to respond to the Iranian regime’s aggressions, whether in Iran or abroad.”The fresh wave of sanctions come one week after Iranian lawmakers demanded death sentences for thousands arrested during recent Mahsa Amini protests. In applying further sanctions, Canada is joining an international wave of renewed condemnation against the regime’s suppression of human rights. On Friday, UN experts condemned the regime’s use of the death penalty to suppress protests. On Monday, the European Union followed suit by piling additional sanctions onto the regime.