Author: Margaret Evans

Iran has said it is “ready for talks” with Canada about renewing long dormant diplomatic relations between the two countries, but that Ottawa must be the one to make the first move.”The relationship was frozen unilaterally by Canada, not by Iran,” said Esmail Baghaei, a foreign ministry spokesperson, at a recent media briefing in Tehran.”And we never welcomed that decision because we think that decision was not for the benefit of either of the two nations,” he said.Baghaei was responding to a question from CBC News on a recent reporting trip to Iran. Visas for Canadian journalists have only rarely been approved in recent years.WATCH | Iranian spokesperson discusses possibility of renewing relations with Canada: Iran’s foreign ministry says it is ‘ready for talks’ to restore Canada-Iran relations1 day agoDuration 0:28CBC News senior international correspondent Margaret Evans asks Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei about Tehran’s interest in restoring diplomatic relations with Ottawa, broken off since 2012.”I think it’s for Canada to decide what course of action they want to take,” said Baghaei. “I think the first step they have to take is to unravel the many sanctions and restraints that they have imposed on themselves and on our bilateral relations.”That’s deemed unlikely by experts and Canadian diplomats.Ottawa severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012. The government of then prime minister Stephen Harper cited the Islamic Republic’s perceived ambition for a nuclear weapon, its support for the dictatorship of the since ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as persistent human rights abuses. Recent efforts aimed at restoring talks between Washington and Tehran over a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions has raised hopes among ordinary Iranians longing for an end to their country’s isolation and economic pain.Some Iranians hope Canada will return”We have many difficulties for the exports because of these [sanctions] that these Western countries made to us,” said Rasoul Namavari.The businessman just bought the building that used to house the former Canadian Embassy in Tehran and is now basing his paper company there.He was happy to show off renovation work and point out the last remaining Maple Leaf attached to one of the windows at the former embassy.Iranian businessman Rasoul Namavari is the new owner of the building that was once home to Canada’s Embassy in Iran. When workers forgot to remove a maple leaf that adorned the windows, Namavari decided it should stay.