Canada wants Iran government change, increases sanctions

TORONTO, Feb 14 (Reuters) - ‌Canadian Foreign ​Affairs ​Minister Anita Anand said Canada wants a change of government in ‌Iran but would not say whether it ⁠would support a U.S. military strike, the Globe ‌and Mail reported on ‌Saturday.

“We will not open diplomatic relationships with Iran unless there is a regime change. ​Period,” Anand told the Globe and Mail in an interview in Germany, where ⁠she is attending the Munich Security Conference.

Canada has particularly poor ​relations with Iran and cut off diplomatic ties in 2012.

Anand on Saturday announced ​further sanctions against seven ‌individuals who are connected with the Iranian government and said Canada’s ⁠focus in the region is on the repression of human rights.

The U.S. military is preparing for ⁠the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran ​if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two U.S. officials told Reuters, in what could become a ‌far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries.

On Friday, Trump ‌embraced potential government change in Iran as ⁠the Pentagon sent ‌a second aircraft ​carrier to the region.

(Reporting by Fergal Smith. Editing by Sergio Non, Rod ‌Nickel)

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