Terror Listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
On June 19, 2024 after years of advocacy by Secure Canada and other experts, the Government of Canada officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. ​
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an arm of the Iranian regime, operating far beyond Iran’s borders, supporting terrorist activities, orchestrating attacks, and financing and training proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, among others.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Public Safety Canada, national security organizations, and Iranian diaspora leaders have repeatedly warned the government about the IRGC’s role in terror financing, recruitment, indoctrination, intimidation and other illicit activities on Canadian soil.
Investigations have revealed how IRGC-backed networks launder money, smuggle narcotics, and conduct cyber-influence operations in Canada, posing a direct threat to national security.
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Notably, Canadian courts found the IRGC to be a terrorist entity and liable for acts of terrorism against Canadians under Secure Canada's Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA) well before IRGC was listed as a terrorist entity in June 2024. The courts’ findings bolstered the case for that listing.
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Secure Canada wrote several memos making a compelling case for listing the IRGC, including a definitive paper produced in 2024.​
The IRGC in Canada
A year-long Global News investigation in 2023 uncovered that upwards of 700 senior Iranian regime operatives, some with ties to the IRGC, were operating within Canada. These operatives have been involved in activities ranging from surveillance and intimidation of Iranian-Canadians to illicit financial operations.
700+ Operatives
The IRGC has been linked to cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns in Canada, including attempts to intimidate Iranian-Canadians online, spread pro-regime propaganda through fake social media accounts, and target critical infrastructure through cyber intrusions, as outlined in warnings from CSIS.
Disinformation and Cyber Attacks
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime states that IRGC-backed networks engage in drug trafficking and smuggling operations to raise funds for terrorism. Public's Safety Report on Terrorist Financing identified Hezbollah’s use of Canadian charities and businesses for money laundering, directly benefiting Iran’s militant activities. Hezbollah is a well known IRGC client
Terrorist Finance, Drug trafficking, and Organized Crime
What does a designation of the IRGC mean?
A terrorist designation has significant legal and operational implications.