TEHRAN -- The Canadian government on Monday has imposed sanctions on a wide range of Iranian institutions and persons, accusing them of “rights violations” following the recent foreign-backed riots in the country.

Among the institutions sanctioned by Ottawa also are the Basij Force, chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri; chief commander of the IRGC Gen. Hussein Salami; secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani; Iran’s Majlis speaker Muhammad Baqer Ghalibaf; Iran’s Interior Minister Ahamd Vahidi; and Quds Force chief Esmail Qa’ani.