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Canada urges tough stance on Iranian regime in UNGA speech

NCRI – Canada is calling on other nations to maintain tough sanctions against the Iranian regime despite that Hassan Rouhani’s “charm offensive,” Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says.

Speaking at the United Nations on Monday morning, Baird drove home Canada’s skepticism around the Iranian regime’s new outreach to the west, The Toronto Star reported.

“Sound bites do not remove threats to global security. Kind words, a smile and a charm offensive are not a substitute for real action,” Baird told the general assembly.

In his speech Monday, Baird signalled that Canada is keen to see reforms in Iran but won’t soften its stance until tangible progress is evident.

“We will welcome and acknowledge reform, if and when it comes,” Baird said, according to a text of his prepared remarks.

“By this we will know when genuine reform has occurred: Has there been real, measurable, material improvement in the lives of the Iranian people and in the security of the world,” the foreign affairs minister said.

“Nothing would make Canada more pleased than to see a change in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. A change to its terrible human rights record. And an end to Iran’s material support for terrorism,” Baird said.