Iran Slams Canada Over US‑Backed Aggression in the Gulf

In a sharply‑worded post on X on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei lashed out at Canada, accusing the North‑American nation of “strategic confusion” and of openly backing U.S.‑Israeli military pressure on Tehran.

The tirade came just hours after Canada’s foreign minister, Anita Anand, and finance minister, François‑Philippe Champagne, issued a joint statement condemning what they described as Iran’s “destabilising activities” in the Middle East, including alleged threats to vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei’s message was unapologetically blunt. He claimed Ottawa had chosen to “appease their bullying neighbour” by supporting sanctions and naval actions against Iran rather than urging de‑escalation. “Canada cannot credibly present itself as a champion of peace, freedom of navigation and international law while simultaneously endorsing U.S. aggression and Washington’s illegal, interventionist moves in our region,” he wrote.

He went on to question Canada’s diplomatic independence, noting that Canada has itself felt the sting of U.S. pressure in the past. “If freedom of navigation is truly the issue, why does Canada – having experienced American bad faith – choose to back U.S. military aggression and economic terrorism instead of calling for an end to the blockade and economic warfare?” the spokesperson asked.

Baghaei dismissed accusations that Tehran was the one disrupting trade routes. “Canada knows the Strait of Hormuz was open and secure before the U.S.–Israel war of aggression launched on 28 February,” he insisted, linking the current tensions to the broader conflict sparked by the war in Ukraine and the Gaza crisis.

For its part, Ottawa’s statement painted a very different picture. Anand and Champagne condemned Iran’s “continued threats to vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz,” as well as Tehran’s alleged nuclear pursuits and support for regional proxy groups. The ministers highlighted Canada’s coordination with G7 partners and ongoing sanctions, noting that “since 2010 Canada has sanctioned 492 Iranian individuals and entities under the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.”

The Canadian officials also underscored their commitment to reopening the critical maritime corridor. “We are working closely with partners, including the United States, France and the United Kingdom, to maintain pressure on Iran and ensure the safe flow of trade through the Gulf,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Iranian side of the story has been equally heated. Earlier in the week the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy announced it had targeted three oil tankers it said were taking an “unauthorised route” through the Strait, as well as three vessels linked to the United States. The IRGC claimed the move was a response to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers, which it described as an attempt to choke the waterway.

“The American terrorist and aggressive army, out of desperation to close the Strait of Hormuz, attacked three Iranian oil tankers, causing damage,” the IRGC statement read, adding a warning to any ship that might navigate the Gulf without proper permission.

Beyond the diplomatic sparring, the episode mirrors a growing rift between Canada and the United States over trade and policy. Recent breakdowns in bilateral trade talks have led to tariff threats and public barbs from both capitals, adding another layer of complexity to the already fraught Gulf situation.

As the diplomatic dance continues, Tehran and Ottawa appear locked in a battle of narratives: Iran accusing Canada of blind allegiance to U.S. aggression, and Canada insisting it is merely defending international law and regional stability. Whether either side will step back from the brink remains an open question, but the stakes – a vital shipping lane and the broader geopolitics of the Middle East – are undeniably high.