Relationship dossier
Canada
Iran
Relationship assessment
Severed diplomatic relations and sustained disputes over security, sanctions, human rights, and Flight 752
Canada toward Iran
-65Canada severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012, closed its embassy in Tehran, and expelled Iranian diplomats from Canada. It has imposed sanctions and criticized Iran over its nuclear program and human rights record. Canada has also pursued accountability over Iran's downing of Flight 752 and the treatment of Canadians and Canadian-Iranian nationals.
Iran toward Canada
-65Iran has not restored diplomatic relations with Canada since Canada closed its embassy and severed ties in 2012. Iran's downing of Flight 752, which killed Canadian citizens and residents, and disputes over the treatment of Canadians and Canadian-Iranian nationals in Iran have further strained relations.
Overall relationship
-65The relationship is defined by a prolonged diplomatic rupture, Canadian sanctions and security concerns, and disputes over Iran's human rights record and the deaths of Canadian-linked individuals. The downing of Flight 752 added a major continuing source of contention. These sustained adversarial features outweigh the limited scope for official cooperation.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Canada and Iran have had severely strained relations, marked by Canada's 2012 closure of its embassy in Tehran and severance of diplomatic relations, sanctions, and disputes over Iran's nuclear program and human rights record. Relations have also been shaped by Iran's downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020, which killed Canadian citizens and residents, and by disputes over the treatment and deaths of Canadians and Canadian-Iranian nationals in Iran.
Areas of tension
- Canada's sanctions on Iran and its criticism of Iran's nuclear program
- Iran's human rights record and the treatment of Canadians and Canadian-Iranian nationals
- Iran's downing of Flight 752 and accountability for the victims
- The continuing absence of diplomatic relations
Key developments
Canada severed diplomatic relations with Iran, closed its embassy in Tehran, and expelled Iranian diplomats from Canada.
Iranian forces shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing Canadian citizens and residents.
Major uncertainties
- The prospects and conditions for restoring diplomatic relations remain unclear.
- The scope and implementation of sanctions and other restrictions may change over time.