Severing relations with Iran was a bad idea says Canadian FM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said on Tuesday that breaking ties with Iran back in 2012 was a bad idea for everyone. Consequently he welcomes the restoration of diplomatic relations provided Iran doesn't move in the "wrong direction." 

"Canada's severing of ties with Iran had no positive consequences for anyone: not for Canadians, not for the people of Iran, not for Israel, and not for global security," Dion argued before a Tuesday conference in the University of Ottawa quoted by the Canadian Press. 

"Today Canada must return to Iran to play a useful role in that region of the world," he added, "while remaining vigilant about embassy security issues in Tehran and elsewhere." 

"Canada will continue to steadfastly oppose Iran's support for terrorist organizations, its threats toward Israel, and its ballistic missile program, while also monitoring Iran's compliance with its obligation under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," he promised referencing the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 powers last July. A deal which saw economic sanctions against Tehran lifted last January. 

Canada had previously closed its embassy in Tehran in response to its controversial nuclear program, its threats against Israel and its support of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

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