Former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler warns that Iran may have activated sleeper cells in Canada to carry out violence against regime opponents, especially following the recent Israel-Iran war. Canadian authorities, including CSIS and RCMP, are increasing vigilance, as CSIS confirms ongoing threats and Iran's use of proxies for transnational repression.
Former justice minister Irwin Cotler warns Iran may have activated sleeper cells in Canada
Politics
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler warns that Iran may have activated sleeper cells in Canada to carry out violence against regime opponents, especially following the recent Israel-Iran war. Canadian authorities, including CSIS and RCMP, are increasing vigilance, as CSIS confirms ongoing threats and Iran's use of proxies for transnational repression.
Trending- 1 2008: Irwin Cotler began his global campaign to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity.
- 2 2020-2023: Irwin Cotler served as Canada’s first special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism.
- 3 Oct. 7, 2023: Mass killings in Israel by Hamas gunmen; Irwin Cotler placed under RCMP protection.
- 4 Late 2024: The Globe and Mail reported Iran allegedly plotted to assassinate Irwin Cotler.
- 5 June 2024: Canada joined the United States in declaring the IRGC a banned terrorist group.
- 6 2024: Canadian citizens Damion Ryan and Adam Pearson indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Iranian dissidents.
- 7 October 2024: U.S. Justice Department accused Ruhollah Bazghandi of involvement in a 2022 plot to kill Masih Alinejad.
- 8 Last week: CSIS released a report stating the agency continues to investigate threats to life emanating from Iran.
- 9 June 12, 2025: War broke out between Israel and Iran.
- 10 Sunday, June 22, 2025: Others executed in Iran.
- 11 Monday, June 23, 2025: Irwin Cotler warned about potential sleeper cells and wrote to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson seeking help for Ahmadreza Djalali.
- Increased vigilance by Canadian spy and law enforcement authorities
- Potential for acts of violence or terrorism in Canada or the U.S.
- Ongoing threats to Iranian dissidents living abroad
- Concerns for political prisoners in Iran, such as Ahmadreza Djalali
What: Former justice minister Irwin Cotler warns that Iran may have activated sleeper cells in Canada to carry out acts of violence against opponents of the regime, and Canadian authorities are monitoring the situation.
When: Warning issued Monday, June 23, 2025. War between Israel and Iran broke out on June 12. Cotler was under RCMP protection after Oct. 7, 2023. IRGC was declared a banned terrorist group in June 2024. CSIS report was released last week.
Where: Canada (nationwide), Middle East, Israel, Iran, Sweden, Maryland (USA), New York (USA), Tehran (Iran).
Why: Iran's policy is to target Jews and opponents abroad, and they are known to activate sleeper cells. The evolving situation in the Middle East and Iran's own threat perceptions contribute to this concern.
How: Through activated sleeper cells, criminal networks, and proxies, potentially targeting Iranian dissidents and perceived enemies.