Iran labels Canadian Navy a terrorist entity in retaliation for IRGC ban
Tehran: Iran designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organisation, escalating tensions with Ottawa nearly a year after Canada blacklisted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Iranian foreign ministry, Tehran said the move was taken “within the framework of reciprocity” in response to Canada’s decision to label the IRGC as a terrorist group in 2024. The ministry described Ottawa’s action as being “contrary to the fundamental principles of international law,” and announced that the Canadian naval force would now be treated in the same manner. No details were provided on the practical consequences of the designation.
Canada formally listed the IRGC as a terrorist organisation on June 19, 2024, a step that barred its members from entering the country and prohibited Canadians from engaging in any dealings with the force or its affiliates. The decision also enabled authorities to seize any assets linked to the IRGC or its members held within Canada, as reported by AFP news.
Ottawa has defended the action by claiming that the IRGC consistently violates human rights and threatens the international rules-based order. A major contributing element to the designation, according to Canadian officials, was the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in January 2020. Shortly after taking off from Tehran, the plane was shot down, killing all 176 passengers, including 85 nationals and permanent residents of Canada. The aircraft was wrongly designated as a hostile target, according to the IRGC, which later admitted responsibility.
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Sonam Wangchuk taken to AIIMS Jodhpur after complaining of stomach pain
Jodhpur (PTI): Activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been lodged in the Jodhpur Central Jail since September 27, 2025, was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur for medical examination early Saturday morning, officials said.
He spent approximately an hour and a half in the hospital's gastroenterology department before being escorted back to prison.
According to AIIMS sources, Wangchuk has been having stomach-related issues and visited the hospital on Friday as well for tests.
The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a petition filed by his wife, has requested Wangchuk's medical report by February 2.
Following the Supreme Court's orders, police transported Wangchuk from Jodhpur Central Jail to the emergency department of AIIMS Hospital on Saturday morning, a police official said.
Wangchuk has been voicing concerns about his declining health in jail for some time now. Recognising his worsening condition, the Supreme Court ordered the Jodhpur jail administration on Thursday to arrange for him to be examined by a specialist.
During the Thursday hearing, a bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice P B Varale directed jail authorities to ensure that Wangchuk receives an examination by a specialist doctor (a gastroenterologist) at a government hospital.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General for the Rajasthan government, K M Nataraj, reported that jail doctors had examined Wangchuk 21 times over the past four months, with the most recent check-up occurring on January 26.
Objecting to this submission, Wangchuk's counsel Kapil Sibal claimed that he was suffering from persistent stomach pain due to the water quality in jail.
Accepting Sibal's argument, the court said that medical treatment with a specialist must be provided in accordance with the patient's needs.
