And now back to Iran.

Ok, I’ll bite.

I once wrote about the Iranian situation, describing the history of the country, potential impacts of a conflict and logically concluded the best path was to allow the Iranian people to enact change by themselves. Similar to the Arab Spring risings, the Iranian people have an underground that is devoted to removing their current ideological government.  With help from the international community in the form of economic sanctions, the government will be forced to make some changes eventually.

Currently, the situation has deteriorated. The Russians have sent a fleet of 11 warships to Syria enhancing their power in the region. They’re strongly against military action in Syria and Iran due to the amount of business Russia conducts with these countries. Iranian commanders are conducting more war games and have threatened again to close the Strait of Hormuz – a vital water way that controls a large amount of the world’s oil supply. In response, the United States has upped their presence in the region and simply stated that it will not allow the Strait to close.  Israel has also shown more willingness (although they have always been willing) to engage in military operations against Iran.

And now the sanctions are affecting Iranians in Canada. TD has decided to follow sanctions and prevent Iranian – Canadians who engage in financial transactions with Iran – from using their services. The Canadian department of Foreign Affairs has warned the Iranian embassy that they should not be using Cultural Events (such as the one hosted at Carlton University) to recruit Canadians to serve Tehran.  The head of the Foreign Ministry’s wife, former Ms. World and Iranian Ms. Afshin-Jam, has seen increased threats to her safety. She wrote to Carlton University against their association with the Iranian Embassy stating:“[Ayatollah Khomeini] was a man who was personally responsible for the death and torture of countless innocent Iranians.” She is correct. Although I stated in my history of Iran the problems caused by the Shah and his tyrannical methods with the assistance of Western powers, the Supreme Leader has not been much different. At his command, many executions have taken place in the name of Allah.  Interestingly, he did decree a fatwa to treat those of Jewish origin well, but those belonging to the Baha'is were persecuted. While ruling Iran, he also managed to suppress economic progress with policy based on his on ideology.

So now what?

Well, I agree Iran should not have the capability of producing nuclear power simply because they do not have the checks and balances to use the power responsibly. Already the world has seen Pakistan become a nuclear power, one of the most unstable regions in the world ruled by a bizarre interpretation of Islam. This should not happen again. So I agree with Canada supporting economic sanctions, and to be honest Canada does not have much of a choice. America is enforcing these sanctions and disagreeing with them would be economically wrong, simply because we do far more business with Americans than Iranians. Locally, TD seems to be a bit over zealous in enforcing the sanctions and should probably consider a bit more liberal policy; work with their Iranian customers personally to solve any issues.

However, I agree with Ms. Afshin-Jam when she states: “They try to connect with the greater Canadian public and either confuse matters on what’s really taking place in Iran, try to befriend people in the Iranian-Canadian community and maybe even try to monitor them that way.” It is very easily to distort reality to Iranian-Canadians who are second generation. Many of these people feel a strong sense of nationalism, but do not know the very real problems in their country. The Iranian embassy has a strong need for those with Canadian passports as that documentation is golden in the world for travel, and if needed for any espionage purposes – could prove invaluable.

“[Iranian-Canadians] call it the ‘house of terror,’” said Sayeh Hassan, a Toronto-based criminal lawyer who fled Iran 25 years ago and has for years pressured Ottawa to close the embassy. “I don’t want to see Canada become a safe haven for the Islamic regime and those affiliated with the dictatorship, rather than a safe haven for people who are running away from the dictatorship.”

I will take Mr. Hassan’s word, and agree with the sanctions we have in place for the time being.


“Who are your favorite heroines in real life? The women of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran who risk their lives and their beauty to defy the foulness of theocracy. Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Azar Nafisi as their ideal feminine model.” Christopher Hitchens 



 Quotes from the National Post