Tehran: Iran has accused Canada of closely toeing the United States’ line on Tehran, using a hockey metaphor to take a jab at Ottawa’s foreign policy. In a post on X on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described Canada as Washington’s “farm team,” a reference to the minor-league clubs that groom players for the big leagues.
Baghaei Takes Aim at Ottawa With Hockey Jab
Baghaei wrote that what’s unfolding isn’t “hockey night in Canada” but rather Washington’s own farm team in action. He also brought up the ongoing friction between Canada and the US over trade and other disputes, arguing that despite these disagreements between the two neighbours, Ottawa continues to fall in line behind Washington. The Iranian spokesperson pointed to US tariffs on Canadian goods and past criticism Washington has directed at Canada, questioning why Ottawa would still choose to be part of what Tehran calls a US-led campaign against Iran — and what exactly Canada stands to gain from it.
Canada Rolls Out Fresh Sanctions Against Iran
Baghaei’s remarks came not long after Canada announced a new round of sanctions targeting five Iranian individuals. On August 14, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed the measures were being enforced under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. According to Ottawa, those sanctioned were involved in military, legal, or communications-related activities deemed harmful to international peace and security.
The Canadian government said this latest round specifically targets senior Iranian officials, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Ottawa linked those sanctioned to actions restricting navigation around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway central to global trade and energy supply chains.
Strait of Hormuz Remains at the Heart of the Dispute
Canada said the sanctions are meant to bolster international efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and push back against what it calls Iran’s destabilising behaviour in the region. Ottawa also reaffirmed its intention to keep working with allies on diplomatic efforts aimed at protecting navigation rights under international law.
According to Canada’s own assessment, the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz has raised broader concerns around commercial shipping and seafarer safety, with thousands of vessels and crew members reportedly affected by the security climate in and around the Persian Gulf.
Canada’s Sanctions List Continues to Grow
With this latest round, Canada says it has now sanctioned 232 Iranian individuals and 260 Iranian entities under its Iran-related sanctions framework. The newly added names include senior military and political figures, along with an official tied to Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical export sector.
Canada has also formally designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation under its Criminal Code, and separately lists Iran as a state supporter of terrorism under the State Immunity Act — a designation Ottawa reaffirmed as recently as December 2025.
Diplomatic Tensions Show No Signs of Easing
This latest exchange underscores the widening rift between Tehran and Ottawa as tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to simmer. While Iran has been vocal in criticising nations it sees as aligned with Washington, Canada has stood firm on its position, framing its actions as centred on protecting maritime navigation and coordinating with international partners.
For now, the standoff is playing out largely through sanctions, public statements, and competing narratives over the legality of activity around the strategically vital waterway. Neither side has signalled any real shift in its stance, leaving relations between Canada and Iran firmly strained for the time being.
