Image: from Anadolu English X @anadoluagency
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
OTTAWA — Canada has no plans to reopen embassies in either Iran or Venezuela despite ongoing regional crises, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed on Friday, stressing that Ottawa will continue relying on partner nations to provide consular assistance where necessary.
Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ottawa, Anand dismissed speculation that Canada was preparing to restore diplomatic relations with Tehran.
‼️NEW
Canada is warming its people up to re-opening diplomatic relations with Iran.
(also why are all of these dinks calling it "turkey-ia') pic.twitter.com/Hk6TsfmNkH
— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) June 27, 2026
“We have no intention of opening an embassy in Iran or Venezuela at this time,” Anand said.
Her comments follow reports circulated by the Iranian Justice Collective, which claimed to have received anonymous information suggesting the Canadian government intended to re-establish diplomatic ties with Iran and reopen its embassy in Tehran.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also rejected those claims earlier this week, acknowledging that Canada’s lack of diplomatic representation in countries such as Iran creates challenges during international crises but emphasizing that no discussions have taken place regarding the restoration of formal diplomatic relations.
Canada severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012 under the government of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, closing its embassy in Tehran and ordering the Iranian embassy in Ottawa to shut down. Since then, Italy has acted as Canada’s protecting power in Iran, assisting Canadian citizens with consular matters.
Anand acknowledged that relying on a third country is not the most effective method of providing consular services but said the current arrangement remains necessary under existing circumstances.
Global Affairs Canada has clarified that any contacts with Iranian authorities are limited to consular issues, human rights concerns and nuclear non-proliferation.
The issue has gained additional urgency following recent regional instability, including the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week. Carney noted that the absence of a functioning Canadian embassy in Caracas has complicated efforts to assist Canadians affected by the disaster.
Canada closed its embassy in Venezuela in June 2019 after the Venezuelan government declined to renew diplomatic visas for Canadian personnel. While diplomatic relations between the two countries were never formally severed, the embassy has remained closed ever since.
Earlier this year, Canadian diplomats told Parliament that Ottawa has examined the possibility of restoring a diplomatic presence in Venezuela. However, officials said such a move would only be considered if adequate security guarantees for embassy staff could be ensured.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has also voiced opposition to reopening Canada’s embassy in Iran, arguing against restoring diplomatic representation under the current circumstances.
For now, the Canadian government maintains that protecting its diplomatic personnel and safeguarding national interests remain the primary considerations in determining whether diplomatic missions abroad should be re-established.