›

Closure of Iranian embassy in Canada was politically motivated - diplomat

Closure of Iranian embassy in Canada was politically motivated - diplomat

The Iranian charge d'affaires to Canada, Kambiz Sheikh Hassani, said on Thursday that the closure of the Iranian embassy in Ottawa was politically motivated, MNA reported.

Last Friday Canada decided to close its embassy in Tehran and gave Iranian diplomats five days to leave the country.

Sheikh Hassani, who was speaking to reporters as he arrived home from Canada, cited close ties between Canada and Israel and the success of Iran in hosting the Non-Aligned Movement summit in late August as the main reasons for closing the Iranian embassy in the country.

The diplomat said in the past Canada was known for its "moderate" approach, however, the current government under Stephen Harper is demonstrating a very different behavior and is supporting Israel tight lipped.

He added senior Canadian officials have repeatedly announced that Israel has no better friend than Canada.