India, May 21 -- Iran has stated that it is ready for talks with Canada to restart diplomatic relations. Canada severed its diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012, citing the state's support for the Assad regime in Syria, terrorism and fear for the safety of Canadian diplomats among many other reasons.

13 years after this decision, Tehran has stated it is ready for talks to restart the diplomatic ties which were "unilaterally" frozen by Canada.

During a media briefing in Tehran, Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said that Iran is ready to talk with Canada, as long as Ottawa makes the first move.

"The relationship was frozen unilaterally by Canada, not by Iran. And we never welcomed that decision because we think that ...