Canada puts squeeze on Iran

Canada has reduced the size of the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, cut off exports to Iran, and may take further trade measures if a May 17 deadline for the release of 53 American hostages is not met, External Affairs Minister Mark MacGuigan said Wednesday. Mr. MacGuigan said the government decided to take the measures in parallel with steps announced by the members of the European Community.

Other measures announced include the curtailment of future visas for Iranian students, with the exception of those issued before Canada closed its embassy in Tehran earlier this year. The diplomatic staff at the Iranian embassy in Ottawa will be limited to one officer, the charge d'affaires. The second officer has been ordered to leave within 72 hours.

The measures were announced in a surprise official statement as Secretary of State Cyrus Vance held talks here with Mr. MacGuigan.