Iranian Officials Blocked at Canadian Border

0:00It's April 30th. Welcome to Canada News Today, powered by AI. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Karning just confirmed that high-ranking Iranian officials tied to the regime are getting blocked at the border. This comes after reports of Iran's soccer federation president, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Garcore, or IRGC, being denied entry-ad. Toronto Pearson Airport, despite a valid visitor visa. Karni stressed that since the IRGC was listed as a terrorist group years ago, none of its members have made it into the country thanks to strict, screening. The official had a temporary resident visa, the kind for tourists, but border agents turn him and two others away right there at the airport. They got sent back to Turkey on the next flight. He was heading here for pre-events ahead of this summer's FIFA World Cup, where soccer federation reps are expected. Iranian state media called out Canadian immigration for what they dubbed inappropriate behavior. While a conservative critic here questioned how the guy even got the visa in the first place,

1:01she pointed out a quick online search would have flagged his regime ties. Numbers from the Canada Border Services Agency showed they've reviewed around 17,800 visa applications for inadmissibility, risks. Out of those, 239 got cancelled by early March, including 32 linked to Iranian leadership. Some led to deportation hearings, with a few senior officials already removed. Karni noted there are multiple hurdles in the system and room to tighten things up even more, so expect ongoing reviews to keep the border secure as. These events unfold.