Canada is cutting ties with Iran, closing its embassy in Tehran immediately and ordering Iranian diplomats in this country to leave within five days.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says worries about the safety of Canadian diplomats is one of the reasons for the move, citing recent attacks on the British embasy there. He also says Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and has been spreading anti-Semetic hatred.

Baird is warning Canadians to avoid travel to Iran and people seeking Canadian consular services in Iran are being directed to the embassy in Turkey.