Tehran’s nuclear programme: Canada reinstates sanctions on 11 Iranian entities
Canada has announced the reimposition of sanctions on 11 Iranian entities removed from its sanctions list in 2016, citing Iran’s nuclear activities.
According to a Canadian government statement, the entities are the Nuclear Fuel Production and Supply Company, the Nuclear Reactors Fuel Company, Kala Naft, Naftiran Intertrade Company, the National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company, Bank Mellat, Bank Melli Iran, the Bank of Industry and Mine, the Export Development Bank of Iran and the Iran Insurance Company.
In July 2010, Canada imposed sanctions on Iran under the Special Economic Measures Regulations, in consultation with like-minded partners, including the United States and the European Union. The measures followed Iran’s failure to meet its international obligations concerning its nuclear programme.
In July 2015, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union, reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which provided for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme and enhanced verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including through the Additional Protocol, in exchange for sanctions relief.
In January 2016, the IAEA reported that Iran had permitted verification activities and taken steps to limit its nuclear programme in accordance with the agreement. Canada subsequently eased its autonomous sanctions in February 2016, in coordination with like-minded partners, including removing the 11 entities now being relisted.
Renewed non-compliance and the reimposition of sanctions
In June 2025, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution finding Iran in non-compliance with its safeguards obligations and calling on it to cooperate fully with the agency. The following month, after Israeli and US attacks on Iran, Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, preventing the agency from carrying out essential verification and monitoring activities.
In August 2025, France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered the “snapback” mechanism in response to Iran’s failure to comply with its nuclear commitments, including its production of highly enriched uranium and insufficient cooperation with the IAEA. The mechanism led to the reimposition of UN nuclear-related sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement.
UN sanctions were reinstated in September 2025. That same month, Canada amended its regulations implementing UN resolutions on Iran to give effect to their reimposition.
In June 2026, the Group of Seven reaffirmed that Iran must not develop or possess a nuclear weapon. It also stressed the importance of limits on uranium enrichment and effective IAEA verification.
The Canadian government said reimposing sanctions on these 11 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations further restricts Iran’s access to sensitive technologies and sources of financing.
The regulations prohibit persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from conducting specified financial or property-related transactions with listed individuals and entities.
