Date: March 30, 2026

Subject: Urgent Call for the NDP to Take a Position on the Illegal War of Aggression against Iran

Dear Mr. Avi Lewis,

On behalf of the Iranian Canadian Congress and the Iranian community we represent, I congratulate you on your recent election. We look forward to working with you on matters of importance to Iranian Canadians and to all who value peace and human rights.

The Iranian Canadian Congress has always advocated for peace. We foresaw this war of aggression coming and, as a result, we were attacked by many pro-intervention pressure groups. Despite that, we led efforts to prevent any violent measures from Canada and to favour diplomacy over war. Unfortunately, our warnings have now come to pass.

Date: March 27, 2026

Dear Prime Minister,

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC), the largest democratic, non-governmental, non-religious, and non-partisan organization representing Iranian Canadians, calls on the Canadian government to take a principled stance rooted in truth, justice, and international law regarding the illegal and unprovoked US-Israeli war on Iran. We reiterate our calls for Canada to condemn the US-Israeli attacks on Iranian civilians, civilian buildings and infrastructure, for Canada to not participate in or contribute to the war on Iran in any way, and for Canada to advocate for cessation of US-Israeli aggressions and renewed diplomatic efforts, as outlined in our March 3rd letter.

President of Iranian Canadian Congress, Mona Ghassemi, on National Radio program 730 CKNW Weekends With Rob Fai discussing Canada's role in the war on Iran. 

Listen by clicking here.

Joint Press Release
Iranian‑Canadian Congress & Iranians United for Palestine

Date: 7 March 2026

Unwavering Condemnation of Systematic Attacks on Healthcare Institutions and Critical Infrastructure in Iran

The Iranian Canadian Congress and Iranians United for Palestine unequivocally condemn the systematic and ruthless attacks on healthcare institutions and critical infrastructure in Iran led by US-Israel forces.

Recent assaults have left indelible scars, severely damaging vital medical facilities such as Khatam Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, and various rehabilitation and welfare centers. Reports detail that patients have been injured as hospital structures collapsed during strikes, with the Valiasr Burn Hospital rendered completely inoperable.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed 13 assaults on healthcare in Iran, alongside attacks on four ambulances resulting in the tragic deaths of four healthcare workers and injuries to 25 others. The targeting of the Iranian Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization, exposes the depths of this barbarism, endangering medics and undermining humanitarian efforts.

International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the decades-long struggle for equality, justice, and human dignity. Iranian women have long been at the forefront of advocating for justice and freedom. They have demonstrated their capabilities and excellence across diverse fields, including science, culture, and sports. In universities and research institutions, thousands of Iranian women serve as professors, researchers, and students, playing a vital role in advancing knowledge and scientific progress. In many academic disciplines, women make up a significant portion of the scientific community. In the fields of arts and sports, the achievements of Iranian women and girls not only exceed regional and Asian levels but also hold a respected place on the global stage.

Date: March 3, 2026

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

The Iranian Canadian Congress writes you to condemn in the strongest terms the continued military aggressions and war crimes committed by the U.S. and Israel against Iran since February 28, 2026, and calls on your government to retract your statement in support of this aggression and instead support renewed diplomacy to avoid further bloodshed.

The Iranian Canadian Congress is deeply saddened by and condemns in the strongest possible terms the illegal attacks and declaration of war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. This flagrant violation of international law is an escalation based on bad-faith negotiations. These negotiations, in which Iran was threatened with war if it did not meet excessive demands, included pressure to give up the right to conventional defense capabilities (its missile defense system) enshrined in article 51 of the UN charter. In the last 48 hours, we know that several government officials were killed, including the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, several of whose family members, including a 14-month-old granddaughter, were not spared. We are devastated to learn of multiple civilian and civilian infrastructure casualties, including hospitals and clinics, medical and humanitarian facilities of the Red Crescent, sports teams and grounds, and schools.  
 
In particular, we unequivocally condemn the horrific bombing of the Shajareh Tayebbeh girls’ elementary school in the Southern Iranian town of Minab, Hormozgan province. This bombing on the morning of Saturday February 28th, the start of the regular work week in Iran, resulted in the untimely deaths of  at least 165 people, most of whom were innocent schoolgirls between the ages of seven and twelve, and injuring 96 more. A total of 170 students attended the school, and the school building itself was almost completely destroyed.  This is a calamity for Minab’s 80,000 residents, for all Iranians, and Canadians of good conscience. 
 
 
UNESCO has called this indiscriminate attack “a grave violation of humanitarian law”. In addition to the tragedy of the innocent lives lost, attacks on educational institutions undermine the right to education. This serious violation exposes the lie that the U.S. and Israel want to “help” the people of Iran. This “help” now comes in the form of bombs that take Iranian children’s lives.  

We do not want to see more innocent lives lost. We demand that the Canadian government take steps to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic means in line with international law, and not participate in this devastating war, which is quickly expanding throughout the region.

President of the Iranian Canadian Congress, Mona Ghassemi, gives a speech regarding the looming war on Iran on February, 26, 2026 at a webinar organized by the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network (CWPJN).

Watch by clicking here.

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) expresses deep concern regarding recent public discourse and policy directions that may contribute to escalating tensions involving Iran and the broader region. ICC firmly opposes any form of war, military intervention, or foreign interference against any sovereign nation.

Experience has shown that sanctions, confrontation, and coercive approaches rarely improve the daily lives of ordinary people and often deepen hardship for civilians and diaspora communities alike. Many Iranian Canadians continue to face uncertainty, prolonged immigration challenges, and social pressures that are intensified during periods of geopolitical tension.

At a time when global instability is increasing, ICC calls for restraint, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to diplomacy. Lasting and legitimate change must emerge through peaceful and democratic processes shaped by the people themselves, not through external pressure or military action.

Iranian Canadians remain deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of their families and loved ones. War brings devastating human, social, and economic consequences whose impacts extend far beyond borders and generations.

Canada has long presented itself as a supporter of peace, multilateralism, and diplomatic engagement. ICC encourages all governments to uphold these principles in practice by promoting de-escalation, restoring channels of communication, and prioritizing peaceful solutions.

As a Canadian organization, ICC affirms the importance of sovereignty, self-determination, and mutual respect among nations. Iranian Canadians who have made Canada their home hope to see policies that reflect compassion, balance, and a commitment to global peace.

ICC therefore calls for:

• De-escalation of tensions and rejection of military solutions
• Respect for international law and national sovereignty
• Restoration of meaningful diplomatic engagement
• Policies that prioritize human security and the well-being of civilians

Peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and constructive cooperation remain the only sustainable path forward.

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is devastated and gravely concerned regarding the ongoing spread and escalating severity of criminal threats and acts of violence by extremists against members of the Iranian Canadian community. Iranian Canadians who believe in non-violent, sustainable, and indigenous progress and oppose foreign meddling, war, coup d'état and installation of a foreign puppet monarchy in Iran, as well as those who are visibly Muslim and attending Islamic Centers, have been particularly targeted. We had warned about a coordinated campaign of harassment and violence against Iranian Canadians in a previous ICC statement. 

 Below are only a few examples of harassment and physical violence that have been reported to the Iranian Canadian Congress to date:  

 In British Columbia, an Iranian Canadian political activist who had sued Reza Pahlavi and received a wave of vile death threats from monarchist extremists has gone missing as of February 6th. RCMP officials have stated they believe criminality is involved in the disappearance.  

• In Alberta, a mob of monarchist extremists attacked an Iranian Islamic Centre on February 7th and brutally assaulted two Iranian Canadians in attendance. This incident resulted in the hospitalization of one of the victims and terrorized the entire congregation. Local police department had been alerted in advance of the threats against the specific Islamic Centre and event, yet they ignored the warnings and failed to protect their community. 

• In British Columbia, a senior Muslim woman who volunteers at the local Iranian Islamic Centre was targeted and physically assaulted in January 2026. 

• Many Iranian Canadians have received vile threats of violence including death threats from monarchist extremists since 2025. 

• Multiple Iranian Canadian-owned businesses in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec have been threatened and coerced to display the monarchist flag in their stores since January 2026. 

 The ICC reiterates its concerns for the safety and security of the Iranian Canadian community and calls for the protection of their democratic rights to freedom of expression, religion, association and peaceful assembly. We urge the Canadian Department of Justice, RCMP, and local police departments to investigate the coordinated campaign of threats and acts of violence against our community members, take credible threats of violence seriously before they are manifested as acts of violence, and bring violent offenders to justice. 

We express our heartfelt sympathy to all Iranian Canadians during this trying time and look forward to brighter days ahead. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress