Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Italian ambassador in Tehran, who is responsible for protecting Canada's interests in Iran, to lodge the Islamic Republic’s protest at Ottawa’s designation of the IRGC as a terrorist entity.

The Foreign Ministry said the it expressed Tehran’s “strong protest” against the “unlawful and internationally illegal” action of the Canadian government.

”In addition to warning about the consequences of this action, Iran's right to take necessary measures and reciprocal actions was emphasized,” a statement by Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Italian ambassador vowed to promptly convey the message to the Canadian government, the statement added.