Trump Warns of Iranian ‘Sleeper Cells’ as Canadian Lawmakers Raise Security Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iranian “sleeper cells” could be operating in North America, while opposition politicians in Canada accuse the government of failing to act against individuals linked to Iran’s ruling establishment.

Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said U.S. authorities were monitoring suspected Iranian networks believed to have entered the United States in recent years. He claimed many individuals may have crossed the border during the administration of Joe Biden, adding that security agencies were keeping a close watch on their activities.

The remarks come at a time when Western security officials are increasingly concerned about the overseas operations of Iranian intelligence services, particularly activities targeting critics of Tehran living abroad.

Meanwhile in Canada, members of the opposition Conservative Party of Canada have criticized the government for allegedly allowing individuals tied to the Iranian regime to remain in the country. 

Senior Conservative figures, including Melissa Lantsman, Michelle Rempel, and Pierre Paul-Hus, called on the ruling Liberal Party of Canada to present a concrete plan within a week to counter what they described as Iranian regime activities in Canada.

In a joint statement issued in Ottawa, the lawmakers said authorities had identified hundreds of people linked to Tehran’s government living in Canada. They noted that visas for 239 individuals had been revoked, but only one person had been deported so far due to legal complications such as asylum claims, privacy protections and the lack of direct flights to Iran.

According to Fox News, Iranian activist Maryam Shariatmadari, known for participating in the “Girls of Revolution Street” protests against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws, said concerns about the presence of Iranian regime figures in Canada have existed for years. After being imprisoned in Iran, she fled the country and now lives in Canada.

Shariatmadari said many Iranians have long been worried about the presence of individuals linked to the regime and their families in Canada. Recently, she claimed, these individuals have become more visible and have organized public events calling for peace while expressing support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, though she alleged they have remained silent about violence against Iranian citizens.

Exiled Iranian journalist Mehdi Ghadimi, who also lives in Canada, said individuals connected to the Iranian regime often arrive in Western countries through multiple channels. He explained that some come as students, academics, or immigrants but may have family or ideological ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Ghadimi added that some former officials or individuals linked to Iran’s state institutions later enter countries like Canada as investors. Large financial investments made abroad can raise questions about the origin of the funds and whether they are connected to Iran’s security establishment.

Analysts say the issue highlights broader concerns about transnational influence operations and the challenges governments face when balancing immigration policies, legal protections and national security considerations.