Embassy of Iran, Ottawa

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa
Pictured in January 2005
Map
LocationCentretown, Ottawa
Address245 Metcalfe Street
Coordinates45°24′53″N 75°41′24″W / 45.414691°N 75.689959°W / 45.414691; -75.689959
Ambassadorvacant (since September 7, 2012)

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is the former diplomatic mission of Iranian government. It was located at 245 Metcalfe Street in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa, across the street from the Booth House, currently home to the Laurentian Leadership Centre. Iran moved into the facilities in the summer of 1991; previously they had been based in a building on Roosevelt Avenue in Ottawa's west end. The ambassador lived in a house on Acacia Avenue in Rockcliffe Park, near Stornoway.

On September 7, 2012, the Canadian government announced it would expel all remaining Iranian diplomats in Canada within five days.[1] As of September 17, 2012, Canadian interests in Iran are represented by the Italian Embassy in Tehran[2][3] and the Canadian Embassy in Ankara.[4]

Attack

On April 5, 1992, the embassy was stormed by a group of Iranian exiles linked to the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK). No one was seriously injured in the raid but the mob ransacked and destroyed much of the interior. Most of those responsible were later arrested.[5]

The relationship between Iran and Canada has been strained in recent years due to a number of issues, including Iran's nuclear program and human rights abuses in Iran. In 2012, Canada closed its embassy in Tehran and expelled Iranian diplomats from Canada, citing concerns over the safety of Canadian diplomats in Iran and Iran's support for terrorist organizations. Iran responded by closing its embassy in Ottawa and expelling Canadian diplomats from Iran.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ljunggren, Davod (7 September 2012). "Canada closes Iran embassy, to expel remaining Iranian diplomats". Reuters. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Iran Not Consulted on Selection of Italian Embassy as Canada's Interests Section". Fars News Agency. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Canada Thanks Italy for Agreeing to Represent Interests in Iran". Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Embassies and Consulates". Government of Canada. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  5. ^ Engel, Windrem. "Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran". Embassy of Iran. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa | Embassy Pages".