Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham, said on Monday that the Canadian premier made very superficial and unrealistic remarks about Iran, adding that Canada's conservative government is in fact an "extremist" administration.

“It is most probable that the freedom-seeking gesture of Mr. prime minister is aimed at mustering the votes of Canada-based Iranian community in the upcoming parliamentary elections,” Afkham added.

She emphasized that such an approach to Iranian nationals living in Canada indicates that the Canadian officials are suffering from "egotism" and have an "incorrect assessment" of the Iranian community.

Speaking in a ceremony to mark the Iranian new year, Nowruz, in Vancouver on Saturday, Harper harshly criticized Iran’s policies.

He claimed that the Canadian government would ensure that Iranians who are seeking refuge from Iran “can access freedom, democracy and justice here in Canada as Canadians.”

source: presstv