**
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has intensified its operations to counter potential state-sponsored activities from Iran, amid concerns that threats from the Iranian regime could escalate throughout 2026. This announcement comes as police investigate a series of shootings in Toronto, including a targeted attack on a gym owned by a prominent critic of the Iranian government.
CSIS Responds to Escalating Threats
In a statement released on Monday, CSIS confirmed its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by violent extremism linked to Iran. While specific operational details were withheld to protect intelligence methods, CSIS spokesperson Magali Hébert indicated that the agency is proactively engaging with communities potentially affected by Iranian activities.
Hébert remarked, “CSIS has increased its operational efforts related to potential Iranian state-directed and violent extremist activity in Canada.” The agency is particularly focused on individuals perceived as threats to the Iranian regime, which has historically engaged in transnational repression.
Shootings Linked to Iranian Opposition
The heightened security measures come in the wake of a shooting incident at the Saliwan Boxing Gym in Markham, Ontario, owned by Salar Gholami, a former Iranian boxing champion and vocal critic of Tehran. The gym was targeted with approximately 17 bullets shortly after Gholami participated in a public event commemorating the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel.
Gholami believes the attack was an intimidation tactic aimed at him and other Iranian Canadians involved in protests against the Iranian government. He expressed concerns that such violence could deter activism within the Iranian diaspora.
International Links to Local Violence
Toronto police have identified a network of shooters-for-hire believed to be responsible for a spate of recent shootings, including those targeting synagogues and the U.S. consulate. Liberal MP Ruby Sahota highlighted in Parliament that these incidents were orchestrated by a “foreign entity” operating online within Canada. Her remarks underscore the growing concern about international actors exploiting local environments for violent agendas.
The FBI and U.S. prosecutors have previously linked the Toronto consulate shooting to Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an alleged Iraqi terrorist with connections to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Al-Saadi, arrested in Turkey, remains in U.S. custody. However, the Toronto police have not confirmed any direct connection between him and the recent shootings in the city.
Historical Context and Growing Concerns
The fears surrounding Iranian activity in Canada are not new. Former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler has warned for years about the potential activation of sleeper cells by Tehran, aimed at silencing dissidents abroad. Cotler himself was placed under a 24-hour security detail after being identified on an Iranian hit list. He stated, “Since the onset of U.S. military actions against Iran, there has been a marked increase in Tehran’s violent activities, both domestically and internationally.”
This pattern of repression has extended to members of the Iranian diaspora, including journalists and human rights activists. Reports indicate that Iranian authorities have threatened Canadian reporters, pushing them to cease their coverage of the regime’s activities. Adam Baillie, a spokesperson for Iran International, confirmed that threats against journalists have intensified following U.S. military operations, with some reporters forced to take security precautions.
Government Stance on Foreign Influence
In light of these developments, Simon Lafortune, spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing foreign threats. He asserted that any intimidation or transnational repression targeting individuals in Canada is “completely unacceptable,” and those responsible will face serious legal repercussions.
While the government refrains from commenting on ongoing investigations, it is clear that the cross-border dynamics of violence and repression require an urgent and coordinated response from Canadian authorities.
Why it Matters
The rising tide of violence linked to Iranian state-sponsored actors poses significant risks to the safety and security of individuals within Canada, particularly those who openly oppose Tehran’s autocratic regime. As the government and security agencies ramp up their efforts to counter these threats, the implications extend beyond mere law enforcement; they touch upon the very fabric of Canadian democracy and the rights of its citizens to engage in activism without fear of violent retribution. The situation calls for a vigilant and informed response from both authorities and communities as they navigate this complex geopolitical landscape.