Agencies | Tehran:
Iran has accused Canada of showing “submission to intimidation” by backing the United States in its confrontation with Tehran, as tensions continue to escalate over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and Ottawa’s sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei launched a sharp criticism of Canada in a post on X, accusing the country’s foreign and finance ministers of “appeasing” their “bullying neighbour” by issuing a statement targeting Iran.
Baqaei’s remarks came as he also referred to comments by US President Donald Trump regarding Canada, arguing that Washington had demonstrated disregard for Canadian sovereignty and independence.
“On the very day” the US president portrayed Canada as part of the United States, Canadian ministers chose to further appease Washington, Baqaei said, accusing Ottawa of distorting facts surrounding the situation in West Asia.
Baqaei claimed that the Strait of Hormuz had remained “open and secure” until the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
The comments come amid a prolonged crisis surrounding the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global oil and gas supplies passes. The tensions have disrupted energy trade and raised concerns over the wider impact on international markets.
Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz to shipping following the reported US and Israeli strikes on its territory in February.
Canada has subsequently imposed sanctions on more than 200 Iranian individuals and entities and joined statements with several allies condemning Tehran’s actions concerning the waterway.
Questioning Ottawa’s stance, Baqaei argued that Canada could not claim to support “peace and security”, “freedom of navigation” and international law while simultaneously backing US military action and what Tehran describes as Washington’s interventionist policies in the region.
He also questioned why Canada was supporting US actions despite its own strained relationship with Washington.
“If freedom of navigation is truly the issue,” Baqaei said, Canada should instead call for an end to US military action, blockades and economic pressure rather than support Washington.
“This is neither diplomacy nor responsible statecraft,” Baqaei said, describing Canada’s approach as reflecting what he called “strategic confusion and submission to intimidation”.
He further warned that supporting Washington would not shield Canada from what he characterised as “American bullying and aggression”.
The remarks underscore the widening diplomatic tensions surrounding Iran, the United States and their allies, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a major flashpoint for regional security and global energy supplies.
