Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations: SOR/2026-195

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 20

Registration
SOR/2026-195 September 22, 2026

SPECIAL ECONOMIC MEASURES ACT

P.C. 2026-851 September 22, 2026

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran constitute a grave breach of international peace and security that has resulted or is likely to result in a serious international crisis;

And whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that gross and systematic human rights violations have been committed in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations under paragraph 4(1)(a)footnote a and subsections 4(1.1)footnote b, (2)footnote c and (3) of the Special Economic Measures Act footnote d.

Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations

Amendments

1 Part 1.1 of Schedule 1 to the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations footnote 1 is amended by adding the following in numerical order:

2 Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations is amended by adding the following in numerical order:

Application Before Publication

3 For the purpose of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act, these Regulations apply according to their terms before they are published in the Canada Gazette.

Coming into Force

4 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

The Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) continues to engage in gross and systematic human rights violations, including through digital repression, intimidation against dissidents, violence and arbitrary detention. Cyber infrastructure developed and operated by Iranian state-directed entities facilitates the control of information and has resulted in censorship and digital surveillance of Iranian civilians, severely restricting their freedom of expression and contributing to widespread repression.

Background

Iran’s repression activities in the digital space

Iran restricts civil liberties through centralized institutions controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which employs digital repression methods to severely punish journalists, human rights defenders and other civil society actors deemed to violate Iran’s Computer Crimes Law by challenging state policies and leadership, committing moral or religious offences and disseminating false content.

Iran has developed and controls cyber infrastructure to filter, restrict and monitor its citizens. These controls restrict access to sources of information such as international news, human rights organizations and opposition groups, and extend to social media platforms. Repression and surveillance tools are developed by private entities and enable authorities to censor, track and flag state dissent and state-perceived “moral corruption” online. The findings are shared across enforcement bodies, such as the Iranian Cyber Police and the Law Enforcement Forces, which are responsible for follow-up and reprisal measures aimed at addressing dissidents.

Since 2009, Iran has limited its national internet connectivity and mobile services to slow the spread of information, conceal human rights violations and limit mobilization efforts among protestors. These measures were used during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement that began in September 2022 and during the protests that began in December 2025, where Iranians faced the longest, state-enforced internet shutdown in history, which lasted approximately three weeks. On May 26, 2026, internet access was partially restored to some regions in Iran. However, connectivity remains heavily regulated through content filtering, restrictions on access to international and independent media, and continued state monitoring of online activity.

International response

Iran’s repression and restrictions on human rights have been widely condemned by the international community. On January 9, 2026, Canada, Australia and the European Union condemned the killing of protestors, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people. On January 14, 2026, G7 Foreign Ministers urged Iran to respect freedom of expression, uphold freedom of assembly and association, and expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing protests in Iran and the brutal repression of the Iranian people by the Iranian authorities. On June 10, 2026, Canada joined the United Kingdom and partners in condemning Iran’s transnational repression campaign in Europe, North America and Australia. On August 12, 2026, Canada led a joint statement with 33 other countries condemning Iran’s use of the death penalty and ongoing execution of Iranian protestors and calling on Iran to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained.

At the United Nations (UN), Canada supports the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. Both procedures are integral to documenting allegations, preserving evidence and investigating the regime’s violations for the purposes of future accountability. Canada also engaged actively in the UN Human Rights Council’s special session on Iran in January 2026, and the urgent debates hosted in March 2026. Furthermore, since 2003, Canada has spearheaded the annual UN General Assembly resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran, working with partners to condemn Iran’s continued disregard for human rights and entrenched impunity for violations, and to press for improvements in its human rights record.

With regards to sanctions measures, Canada and its like-minded partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, have imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities for their links to Iran’s repression of human rights, restrictions on freedom of speech, and restrictions on communication, including during internet shutdowns.

Canadian sanctions against Iran

Canada established the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (the Iran Regulations) in 2010, pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA). On March 6, 2025, Canada amended the Iran Regulations to allow for the designation of any current or former senior government officials, beyond senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials. These amendments include individuals designated on the basis of this listing criterion. On December 12, 2025, Canada amended the Iran regulations to list four individuals for their participation in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran given their roles in facilitating repressive policies and directing their implementation. These sanctions targeted senior officials who have held prominent positions within Iran’s IRGC and/or the Iranian prison system and who have played a significant role in these violations. With these amendments, 237 Iranian individuals and 265 Iranian entities are listed under the Iran Regulations, the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) [JVCFOA].

Objective

These amendments aim to advance Canada’s foreign policy approach toward addressing malign behaviour by the Islamic Republic of Iran by continuing to pressure it to change its behaviour, through the implementation of additional measures for its gross and systematic violations of human rights, including restrictions on the rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including in the digital space.

These amendments also align with the efforts of like-minded partners to highlight human rights violations by the Islamic Republic of Iran and urge improvement of the country’s human rights record.

Description

These amendments add five individuals and five entities to Schedule 1 of the Iran Regulations for their participation in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran given their role in repressive activities targeting individuals within Iran, including through digital means such as censorship, media restrictions and surveillance carried out under political direction. These sanctions target individuals and entities who are believed, on reasonable ground, to have suppressed protestors, with a majority also involved in the development of cyber infrastructure used to monitor and prosecute individuals within Iran for their online activities.

As a result of these amendments, any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada is prohibited from dealing in the property of, entering into transactions with, providing services to, transferring property to, or otherwise making goods available to the 10 newly listed persons (five individuals and five entities). These measures will also render the listed individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Under the Iran Regulations, listed persons may apply to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have their name removed from the Schedule of designated persons. The Minister must determine whether there are reasonable grounds to make a recommendation to the Governor in Council for removal.

Regulatory development

Consultation

Global Affairs Canada regularly engages with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, cultural communities and other like-minded governments, regarding Canada’s approach to sanctions implementation.

New sanctions measures are not prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and public consultation would not have been appropriate for the amendment. Publicizing the name of the listed person targeted by sanctions could have resulted in asset flight and sanctions evasion prior to the coming into force of the amendment, which could compromise Canada’s foreign policy objectives.

Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Federal Approach to Modern Treaty Implementation, an analysis was undertaken to determine whether the amendments are likely to give rise to modern treaty obligations. The assessment examined the geographic scope and the subject matter of the amendments in relation to modern treaties in effect, and no modern treaty obligations were identified.

Instrument choice

The imposition of sanctions against foreign states and non-state actors is a key tool for the international community to support peace and security and enforce international norms and laws. The Parliament of Canada has enacted legislation authorizing the imposition of sanctions through the United Nations Act (UNA), the SEMA and the JVCFOA.

Canada has established a rigorous due diligence process to consider and evaluate possible cases that may warrant the use of sanctions. Given the elements proposed in the amendments, the SEMA was identified as the instrument of choice.

Sanctions measures under the SEMA are imposed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, through a regulatory process. Regulations are the only option to enact sanctions in Canada. No other instruments could be considered.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

These amendments demonstrate Canada’s commitment to counter Iran’s continued systematic human rights violations. By acting alongside international partners, Canada contributes to a coordinated effort to increase pressure on the Iranian regime and encourages meaningful improvements in its human rights record. The measures restrict dealings with listed individuals and entities, including their ability to benefit from Canadian financial and economic services.

The incremental cost to the Government of Canada to administer and enforce these additional sanctions measures is minimal. The amendments target specific individuals and entities. As a result, they have less impact on Canadian businesses than traditional broad-based economic sanctions and have a limited impact on the citizens of the country of the listed individuals and entities. The Department’s review of publicly available trade data has not identified any trade dealings between Canada and the newly listed individuals and entities. It is thus anticipated that there will be no significant impacts on Canadians and Canadian businesses as a result of these amendments.

The Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and other departments and agencies will incur a small cost to ensure their relevant systems include the persons listed through these amendments. Canadian financial institutions will be required to incorporate the newly listed individuals and entities into their existing compliance and monitoring systems. This may result in minor administrative adjustments, but overall incremental compliance costs are anticipated to remain low.

Small business lens

Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the amendments will have minimal impact on Canadian small businesses. The amendments listing new individuals and entities do not impose any new compliance or administrative burden on small businesses in Canada. These amendments prohibit Canadian businesses from dealing with, providing services to, or otherwise making goods available to listed persons, but do not create obligations related to them. While Canadian businesses may seek permits under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any applications resulting from listing these persons, as there have been no identified business dealings between Canada and the listed individuals and entities. Thus, there would be no incremental administrative burden arising from this requirement. Canadian small businesses are also subject to the duty to disclose under the Iran Regulations, which would represent a direct compliance requirement. However, as the newly listed persons have limited known linkages with Canada, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any disclosures resulting from the amendments.

One-for-one rule

The one-for-one rule does not apply, as there is no incremental change in administrative burden on businesses. The permitting process for businesses meets the definitions of “administrative burden” in the Red Tape Reduction Act; however, while permits may be granted under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order on an exceptional basis, given that the listed individuals have limited business ties to the Canadian economy, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any permit application with respect to the amendments.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

While the amendments are not related to a work plan or a commitment under a formal regulatory cooperation forum, they align with actions taken by Canada’s allies and partners, such as the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

International obligations

Compliance with Canada’s international commitments was considered in the development of the amendments.

Effects on the environment

The amendments are unlikely to result in important environmental effects. In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA Directive), a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.

Gender-based analysis plus

None of the newly listed individuals have Canadian citizenship; as a result, the scope of the gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) is limited.

The subject of economic sanctions has previously been assessed for effects on gender and diversity. Although intended to facilitate a change in behaviour through economic pressure on individuals and entities in foreign states, sanctions under SEMA can nevertheless have an unintended impact on certain groups and individuals in vulnerable situations. Rather than affecting Iran as a whole, these targeted sanctions impact individuals and entities believed to have participated in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran. Therefore, these targeted sanctions limit the collateral effects to those dependent on listed individuals and entities and are unlikely to have a significant impact on vulnerable groups as compared to traditional broad-based economic sanctions directed toward a state.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

The amendments come into force on the day they are registered.

Consequential to being listed in the Iran Regulations, and pursuant to the application of paragraph 35.1(b) of the IRPA, the listed individuals are rendered inadmissible to Canada.

The names of the listed individuals and entities will be available online for financial institutions to review and will be added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List. This will help to facilitate compliance with the Iran Regulations.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) at Global Affairs Canada continues to assist clients in understanding Canadian sanctions regulations and, notably, the impact of the Iran Regulations on any activities in which Canadians may be engaged, abroad and in Canada. Global Affairs Canada is also increasing outreach efforts across Canada — including engaging with businesses, universities, and provincial and territorial governments — to enhance national awareness of and compliance with Canadian sanctions.

Under the SEMA, both Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency officers have the power to enforce sanctions violations through their authorities, as defined under the Customs Act, the Excise Act or the Excise Act, 2001, and sections 487 to 490, 491.1 and 491.2 of the Criminal Code.

In accordance with section 8 of the SEMA, every person who knowingly contravenes or fails to comply with the Iran Regulations is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both; or, upon conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years.

Contact

Global Affairs Canada
Sanctions Bureau
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Telephone (toll-free): 1‑833‑352‑0769
Telephone (local): 343‑203‑3975
Fax: 1‑613‑995‑9085
Email: sanctions@international.gc.ca