Canada slaps more sanctions on Iran over rights violations

Canada announced more sanctions Thursday against Iran over human rights violations during the protests now sweeping that country.

The sanctions target three Iranian entities and 17 individuals including Saeed Mortavazi, a prosecutor at the Iranian Revolutionary Court, former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, senior officials with state run media, and a former defense minister.

Canada's punishment bans dealings with the sanctioned individuals and entities, freezes any assets they have in Canada and bars the 17 people from entering the country.

"The actions of the Iranian regime speak for themselves - the world has watched for years as it has pursued its agenda of violence, fear and propaganda," said foreign minister Melanie Joly.

Iran has been rocked by nearly a month of women-led protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Outrage over the 22-year-old woman's death, three days after she was arrested by Iran's notorious morality police for allegedly violating the nation's strict dress code, has fuelled the biggest wave of street protests and violence seen in the country for almost three years.

Last week, Canada announced it would permanently deny entry to more than 10,000 members of Iran's "murderous" regime, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that Ottawa blames for "heinous" acts against the Iranian people.

Altogether Canada has imposed sanctions against 83 Iranian people and 173 entities, joining other countries such as the United States in punishing the Islamic regime.