Context:

Iranian sleeper cells may be targeting regime opponents in Canada, raising national security concerns. The Canadian government is on high alert, with the national terrorism threat level at medium, indicating a realistic possibility of a violent extremist attack. Human rights advocate Irwin Cotler has been under police protection due to threats from Iran, and he warns of potential transnational repression by the Iranian regime against its opponents abroad. In response, Cotler urges the Canadian government to establish an independent agency to counter threats from rogue states like Iran, China, and Russia. The Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister expressed concerns about foreign interference and reiterated Canada's designation of Iran as a terrorist entity, emphasizing the need for accountability for past aggressions, such as the downing of Flight PS752.

Dive Deeper:

• The Canadian government, aware of the evolving geopolitical climate, is monitoring potential threats related to Iranian sleeper cells targeting regime opponents on Canadian soil. Law enforcement agencies have raised the national terrorism threat level to medium, reflecting the possibility of extremist attacks.

• Irwin Cotler, a former Canadian justice minister and human rights advocate, who has been a critic of the Iranian regime, is under constant police protection following threats from Iran. He highlights the regime's efforts to suppress opposition both domestically and internationally.

• Cotler expresses concerns about the activation of Iranian sleeper cells in Canada and suggests the creation of a dedicated agency to address the external threats posed by rogue states like Iran, emphasizing the involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in these activities.

• The Canadian government has not maintained diplomatic relations with Iran since 2012 and previously designated the country as a terrorist entity. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reaffirmed the country's commitment to holding Iran accountable for actions such as the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752.

• Victims' families of the Flight PS752 tragedy continue to face harassment, underlining the ongoing threat from Iran. Additionally, Canadian authorities have identified 20 individuals as senior Iranian officials deemed inadmissible, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for vigilance.

• Iranian-born Canadian human rights lawyer Kaveh Shahrooz, also targeted by the regime, believes the presence of IRGC agents in Canada is underestimated. This sentiment fuels the call for proactive measures against potential espionage and assassination plots.

• In a broader context, tensions between Iran and Western nations are underscored by recent U.S. actions, such as airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, illustrating the persistent geopolitical volatility and the need for international cooperation to mitigate threats.