LONDON — Iran on Tuesday strongly rejected Canadian police assertions that a planned terrorist attack to derail a passenger train was linked to elements of Al Qaeda on its soil, saying there was “no shred of evidence” to substantiate the claim, reports by Iranian state media said.

Speaking at a scheduled news conference, Ramin Mehmanparast, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, accused Canada of hostility toward his country, according to the Press TV satellite broadcaster. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the biggest victim of terrorism, but the extremist administration of Canada has put Iranophobia on its agenda over the recent years,” he said.

The Canadian police said on Monday that there was no indication of state sponsorship by Iran of the suspected conspiracy. But, announcing the arrest of two men, Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said that the suspects had received “direction and guidance” from “Al Qaeda elements” located in Iran.

He declined to explain how the link to Al Qaeda had been made. The men were accused of plotting to attack a train operated by Via Rail Canada, the government-owned rail system, within Canada.