HAMILTON, Canada

Canada announced Thursday sanctions on Iranian businesspeople and companies accused of supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) weapons programs.

"Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions against five individuals and four entities under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations," said a statement by the Global Affairs Canada.

The individuals and entities are accused of involvement in procurement networks supplying technology to the IRGC.

Canada alleged that the targets were "directly involved in the procurement networks that produce and supply sophisticated technology supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' weapons production and transfers."

Condemning the broader pattern of alleged Iranian arms transfers, the statement said the supply of "arms, drones and technology to malign actors, such as Iran's proxy networks and Russia for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine, fuels armed conflict, threatens the sovereignty of other states and violates international norms."

Ottawa said the measures send "a clear and unequivocal message: Canada will impose consequences on those who contribute to Iran's destabilizing activities and will not tolerate actions that undermine regional and international peace and security."

Canada also pledged to continue standing with the Iranian people.