Freedom-loving Canadians have a direct stake in supporting the courageous popular uprising of the Iranian people against the brutal regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a recent editorial. The toppling of Iran's Islamist government is framed not just as a foreign issue, but as a pivotal move for lasting Middle East peace and for removing a significant terrorist threat to Canadians at home.
Iran: A State Sponsor of Global Terror
The editorial underscores that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a leading state sponsor of global terrorism. It financially backs groups identified as terrorist entities by the Canadian government, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with its Quds Force. This connection explains why pro-Hamas demonstrators in Canada, active since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, are not seen aligning with Iranian expats who protest in support of the anti-Khamenei movement within Iran.
Removing the Khamenei regime, a primary source of antisemitism and Holocaust denial, would critically undermine the funding pipeline for these extremist groups. The argument posits that this action would be more effective in creating conditions for a viable Palestinian state than symbolic gestures at the United Nations.
A Direct Threat to Canadian Lives and Security
The threat from the Iranian regime is not abstract for Canada. The editorial highlights the tragic downing of Ukraine International Flight 752 on January 8, 2020, by the IRGC. The attack killed all 176 passengers, including 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents, and 138 people with direct ties to Canada.
Furthermore, Canada's foreign interference inquiry has officially identified Iran as a security threat alongside nations like China and Russia. The federal government accuses Iran of engaging in "coercive practices" and transnational repression against Canadians of Iranian origin. These activities include monitoring, harassment, intimidation, and cyber intrusions aimed at silencing dissent and criticism of the regime within Canada.
The Domestic Imperative for Canadian Support
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has documented credible death threats against Canadian citizens linked to the regime. The editorial cites a failed assassination attempt against former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and reports that hundreds of affiliates of the Khamenei regime currently reside in Canada.
Therefore, supporting the popular uprising in Iran is presented as a matter of both international principle and domestic safety. A change in Iran's government would not only advance freedom for Iranians but also directly enhance the security of Canadians by dismantling a state apparatus that funds terrorism and actively threatens lives on Canadian soil. The call is for Canadians to recognize that the fight for liberty in Iran is inextricably linked to their own nation's values and security interests.
