‘Submission To US Intimidation’: Iran Slams Canada Over Hormuz Stance, Accuses Ottawa Of ‘Appeasing’ Washington

News world ‘Submission To US Intimidation’: Iran Slams Canada Over Hormuz Stance, Accuses Ottawa Of ‘Appeasing’ Washington

‘Submission To US Intimidation’: Iran Slams Canada Over Hormuz Stance, Accuses Ottawa Of ‘Appeasing’ Washington

Published By :

Last Updated: September 08, 2026, 08:11 IST

Iran accused Canada of "submission to intimidation" for backing the US against Tehran amid Strait of Hormuz tensions and Ottawa's sanctions.

3 Quick Answers

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. (Reuters file photo)

Iran has accused Canada of displaying “submission to intimidation" by backing the United States against Tehran, amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Ottawa’s sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei launched a sharp attack on Canada in a post on X, accusing its foreign and finance ministers of “appeasing" their “bullying neighbour" by issuing a statement targeting Iran.

Baqaei’s remarks came as he also referenced US President Donald Trump’s comments on Canada, alleging that Washington had shown contempt for Canadian sovereignty and independence.

“On the very day" the US president portrayed Canada as part of the United States, Canadian ministers chose to further appease Washington, Baqaei said, accusing Ottawa of distorting facts about the situation in West Asia.

Iran Defends Hormuz Closure

Baqaei claimed that the Strait of Hormuz had been “open and secure" before the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of a prolonged crisis in the strategic waterway, which has disrupted global energy trade. Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz to shipping following US and Israeli strikes on its territory in February.

On the very day the U.S. president, in blatant contempt for Canada’s sovereignty and independence, portrayed the entire country as part of the United States, Canada’s foreign and finance ministers chose to further appease their bullying neighbor—this time by targeting Iran with a…— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) September 7, 2026

Canada has since imposed sanctions on more than 200 Iranian individuals and entities and joined several allied statements condemning Tehran’s actions in the waterway.

Questioning Canada’s position, Baqaei said Ottawa could not claim to champion “peace and security", “freedom of navigation" and international law while backing US military action and what Tehran describes as Washington’s interventionist policies in the region.

‘Not Diplomacy Or Responsible Statecraft’

The Iranian spokesperson also questioned why Canada was supporting US actions despite its own strained relationship with Washington.

“If freedom of navigation is truly the issue," Baqaei argued, Canada should call for an end to US military action, blockades and economic pressure rather than backing Washington.

“This is neither diplomacy nor responsible statecraft," he said, calling Canada’s approach a display of “strategic confusion and submission to intimidation".

Baqaei warned that supporting Washington would not protect Canada itself from what he described as “American bullying and aggression."

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 Why did Iran criticize Canada's stance on the Strait of Hormuz? Iran criticized Canada for backing the United States against Tehran amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Ottawa’s sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused Canada of "submission to intimidation" and "appeasing" Washington, especially after the US President's comments on Canada's sovereignty. What actions did Canada take that Iran considers appeasement towards the US? Canada imposed sanctions on over 200 Iranian individuals and entities and joined allied statements condemning Tehran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran views these actions as Canada appeasing the US, particularly given the US President's remarks questioning Canadian sovereignty. Iran also views Canada's support for US military actions and interventionist policies as appeasement. When did Iran close the Strait of Hormuz and why? Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping following US and Israeli strikes on its territory in February 2026. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the Strait was "open and secure" before these strikes, which Tehran describes as a "war of aggression". Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small even... Read More

First Published: September 08, 2026, 08:10 IST

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...