Canadian officials visit Iran for first time since 2012
(VOVWORLD) - A Canadian delegation will visit Iran this week, the first official visit since Canada severed its diplomatic relations with Iran nearly five years ago
The visit, which comes just days before a presidential election in Iran scheduled for next Friday, signals warmer relations between the two countries.
 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at an event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on April 19, 2017 (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Canada-Iran diplomatic ties have been strained since September, 2012, when Canada closed its embassy in Tehran and expelled Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, citing concerns over security in Iran. Canada even called Iran “a threat to world peace”. Last June, the two countries began negotiations to restore relations, after Canada lifted some economic sanctions against Iran.