As Tehran condemns decision to list IRGC as terrorist group, Ottawa urges Canadians in Iran to come home

The federal government is urging Canadians in Iran to come home to avoid acts of retaliation by the state — including arbitrary arrest — as Tehran condemns Ottawa's decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kannani called the terrorism designation an «unwise and unconventional politically-motivated step.»

«Canada's action will not have any effect on the Revolutionary Guards' legitimate and deterrent power,» Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kananni said, according to Iran's Fars news agency, which has ties to the IRGC.

«We know that this is going to have real impacts for members of the Iranian community in Canada and potentially their families back home,» Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday. «Which is why we needed to take our time to get this done the right way.»

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said the government's decision to list the IRGC might expose Canadians to «a heightened risk of arbitrary detention in Iran» and warned Canadians to return home immediately.

«For those who are in Iran right now, it's time to come back,» Joly said. «For those who are planning to go to Iran, don't go.»

Canada updated its travel advisory with new warnings about the dangers of being in Iran on Wednesday after ministers announced the new terrorism designation following years of mounting public pressure.

«In the context of recent developments between Canada and Iran, Iranian authorities could take retaliatory measures that could pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians, including Canadian-Iranians,» the travel advisory says.

Global Affairs Canada posted on social media that Canadians in Iran could be under