Canada announced the reimposition of sanctions against 11 Iranian entities previously delisted in 2016 in recognition of Iran's progress under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
As a non-nuclear-weapon state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran is obligated to refrain from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Nuclear Fuel Production and Procurement Company
- Nuclear Reactors Fuel Company
- Kala Naft
- Naftiran Intertrade Company
- National Iranian Oil Company
- National Iranian Tanker Company
- Bank Mellat
- Bank Melli Iran
- Bank of Industry and Mine
- Export Development Bank of Iran
- Iran Insurance Company
Canada's sanctions and the JCPOA
In July 2010, Canada imposed sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations in consultation with like-minded partners, including the United States and the European Union, following Iran's failure to meet its international obligations related to its nuclear program.
In July 2015, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the European Union, reached the JCPOA agreement with Iran. Endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, the agreement provided for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and enhanced International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verification, including through the Additional Protocol, in exchange for sanctions relief.
In January 2016, the IAEA reported that Iran had allowed verification activities and taken steps to restrict its nuclear program, in line with the JCPOA. Canada subsequently eased its autonomous sanctions in February 2016, in coordination with like-minded partners, including delisting the 11 entities now being relisted.
Renewed non-compliance and reimposition of sanctions
In June 2025, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution finding that Iran was not complying with its safeguards obligations and called on Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA. The following month, after Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, further preventing the IAEA from carrying out key verification and monitoring activities.
In August 2025, France, Germany and the United Kingdom invoked the "snapback" mechanism in response to Iran's non-compliance with its nuclear obligations, including its production of highly enriched uranium and insufficient cooperation with the IAEA. This mechanism triggered the reinstatement of UN nuclear-related sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA.
In September 2025, the UN sanctions were reinstated. Canada amended the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Iran the same month to implement their reinstatement.
In June 2026, the G7 reaffirmed that Iran must not develop or acquire a nuclear weapon and emphasized the importance of limits on uranium enrichment and of effective IAEA verification.
Canada's reimposition of sanctions against these 11 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations further restricts Iran's access to sensitive technologies and sources of funding. The regulations prohibit persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from conducting specified financial or property transactions with listed individuals and entities.
