Canada and Israel team up against Iran Critics say opposition to Iranian nuclear deal isolates Ottawa and reflects short-sighted position on Middle East.

As countries around the world welcomed last month's deal on Iran's nuclear programme as a step towards better relations between Iran and Western powers, one of the few dissenting voices came from an unexpected place: Canada.

John Baird, the country's foreign affairs minister, said he was "deeply sceptical" of the agreement reached on November 24, and vowed that Canada would maintain economic sanctions on Tehran despite the deal.

"Simply put: Iran has not earned the right to have the benefit of the doubt," Baird said.

The interim agreement was reached between Iran and the "P5+1" countries - the US, UK, France, China and Russia, plus Germany. The deal eases economic sanctions on Tehran, while limiting its nuclear programme. This includes stopping work on its heavy water facility at Arak and neutralising uranium enriched above five percent.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Canada will maintain economic sanctions on Iran [Reuters]

While Canada's hardline position came as little surprise to those familiar with Canada's conservative government, to some, Baird's pronouncements highlighted just how disconnected Ottawa has become.

"We did have a tradition of playing a helpful role in terms of stimulating conversations between people… It was quiet [and] gave us a certain entrée into the [Middle East] region and commanded a certain respect. We've lost that now," said Dr Peter Jones, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa.