Iran summons Italian envoy over dispute with Canada

Iran's foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned Italy's envoy, who represents Canadian interests in Tehran, to protest what it called Canada's lack of cooperation in setting up consular services for a large Iranian-Canadian community, state media said.

Iran's foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned Italy's envoy, who represents Canadian interests in Tehran, to protest what it called Canada's lack of cooperation in setting up consular services for a large Iranian-Canadian community, state media said. In the meeting with the ambassador, the ministry also accused Canada of not helping apprehend a Canada-based former Iranian banker wanted by Tehran for alleged financial crimes, state broadcaster IRIB said on its website.

The Canadian foreign ministry in Ottawa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Canada broke off diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012, calling the Islamic Republic the biggest threat to global security. Iran has denied such accusations.

Strains between the two countries have risen since Iran's Revolutionary Guards acknowledged accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet on Jan. 8, mistaking the planet for a missile at a time when tensions were high between Iran and the United States. Many of the 176 victims killed in the crash were Canadian citizens or permanent residents.