NEW: Canada officially designates Iranian IRGC a terrorist entity

The announcement was made by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, alongside Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and other members of Justin Trudeau's Liberal cabinet. The move comes following increased pressure from Persian Canadians and Conservative politicians in the wake of the downing of PS752, Mahsa Amini's death, and the ensuing abuse perpetrated by officials as they cracked down on protests against the regime.

"Our government has made the decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity under the criminal code," LeBlanc said. "This action sends a strong message that Canada will use all of the tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist entity of the IRGC."

He went on to slam the Iranian regime for having "consistently displayed disregard for human rights both inside and outside of Iran, as well as a willingness to destabilize the international rules-based order," adding, "Our government will ensure that there is no immunity for Iran's unlawful actions and its support for terrorism."

"Canada has already some of the strongest measures in the world against the Iranian regime," LeBlanc continued. "That includes the listing of several terrorist entities such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Taliban, that have benefitted from the IRGC support in the past, and continue to do so, and that have helped advance Iran's interests in foreign policy."

He explained that the designation of Iran's government as one that had engaged in terrorism and human rights abuses now means "thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including senior IRGC members, are inadmissible to Canada," and that those already in the country "may be investigated, and removed."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.