Canada breaks ties with Iran

• Tweet

OTTAWA, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Canada is breaking off diplomatic ties with Iran, Foreign Minister John Baird said Friday, calling the country a major human rights violator.

Baird said the Canadian Embassy in Tehran has been closed, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Iranian diplomats in Canada have been told to leave

The announcement came as Baird was in Vladivostok, Russia, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation Summit. He said that Canada is listing Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.

"Canada has closed its embassy in Iran, effective immediately, and declared personae non gratae all remaining Iranian diplomats in Canada," a release, dated Friday, on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Web site stated.

"Canada's position on the regime in Iran is well known. Canada views the Government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today."

The statement also advised Canadians to avoid all travel to Iran.