Iranian ex-roads director Afshin Pirnoon faces a Canadian hearing over alleged regime ties amid Ottawa’s crackdown on senior Iranian officials.
Iranian Official Faces Deportation Battle in Canada
In a high-stakes immigration hearing, a former senior Iranian official, Afshin Pirnoon, appeared before Canada’s refugee board Thursday as the government continues its push to expel alleged regime members from the country.
From Regime Insider to Uber Driver
Pirnoon, 49, once served as director general in Iran’s Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization. Today, he works as an Uber driver in Canada, awaiting the outcome of a hearing that could determine whether he’ll be sent back to Iran.
Speaking through a Farsi interpreter, Pirnoon defended his past work, insisting that his role was technical, not political. “Whatever I’ve done in my life so far was to safeguard human lives,” he told the board. “Since coming here, I’ve tried my best to be a good citizen.”
Canada Cracks Down on Iran’s Senior Officials
Pirnoon is one of about 20 high-level Iranian officials identified by Canadian authorities since Ottawa launched a crackdown in 2022. The move came in response to Iran’s violent suppression of women’s rights protests and its state sponsorship of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis—organizations widely designated as terrorist groups.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) argues that Pirnoon’s senior government post makes him inadmissible to Canada. His hearing will determine whether the CBSA has a strong enough case for deportation.
Engineer or Enabler? Disputed Role in Iran’s Regime
A civil engineer with a master’s degree, Pirnoon worked for Iran’s government for 22 years, primarily in road safety. But the CBSA contends that his high-ranking title placed him among those supporting the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus.
Pirnoon rejects that claim, saying he had no political influence or authority. “Working for a government doesn’t mean endorsing it,” he told the board.
Deportations Rare, Despite Tough Stance
While the Canadian government has vowed to remove Iranian regime officials, the results have been slow. Since 2022, only two hearings have resulted in deportation orders, and just one official has actually been sent back to Iran. Several others, authorities say, have left Canada voluntarily.
What’s Next?
A ruling on Pirnoon’s case isn’t expected until later this year. As the government intensifies scrutiny of suspected Iranian regime figures in Canada, the outcome could set a precedent for future deportation cases.
Pirnoon’s case highlights Canada’s evolving approach to human rights and national security — and raises sharp questions about accountability, complicity, and redemption.
