Ottawa student flagged as security threat over research helpful to Iran’s weapons program

Ottawa student flagged as security threat over research helpful to Iran’s weapons program By Stewart Bell Global News Published June 24, 2026 7 min read Mohammadreza Pakatchian said he chose to study aerospace engineering at Carleton University because it was a “great opportunity” to further his skills and knowledge. In its acceptance letter to the Iranian, Carleton University offered him a scholarship, while an MP’s office spoke with immigration officials about his student visa. But Canada’s national security agencies aren’t so keen on the 41-year-old doctoral student. They have flagged …