OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Tom Mulcair backed away from criticism his foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar made about the government's decision to close its embassy in Iran.

Dewar said Friday the move represented "bad diplomacy" and questioned its announcement from Russia, calling that a 'missed opportunity' to push president Vladimir Putin on the issue.

Speaking to the press Tuesday, Mulcair distanced himself from Dewar's comments and did not condemn cutting diplomatic ties with Iran.

"I think one of the concerns that Paul [Dewar] was expressing there was with Canadians who are currently in prison, so it becomes difficult for them," Mulcair said. "But it's also becoming increasingly clear that there were serious concerns, we don't have the same information but it would appear that there might be some very solid information that would have led the government to that decision, so until we have that information it's hard to comment further."

Defence Minister Peter MacKay told reporters Tuesday the government would work internationally to pressure the Iranian regime. He added the decision was not made lightly, but was the product of "a great deal of contemplation."

In the absence of diplomatic personnel in Iran, Canada is monitoring the situation from abroad, MacKay said.