Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canadian Armed Forces personnel stationed in the Middle East remain safe and out of danger as U.S. and Israeli missile strikes against Iran continue. Speaking to reporters in Sydney, Australia, where he is travelling with Prime Minister Mark Carney, McGuinty confirmed that Canadian troops in the region are accounted for and not in harm’s way.
McGuinty declined to specify how many Canadian military personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East, stating only that there are “some” in the region. He emphasized that their safety remains under constant review as the conflict evolves. The Department of National Defence has also avoided releasing detailed numbers, citing operational security considerations.
The minister described the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a significant development. He characterized Khamenei as a long standing destabilizing force in the region and suggested his death could mark a turning point. The escalating conflict began after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, prompting retaliatory responses across the region.
Prime Minister Carney has publicly endorsed the U.S. and Israeli military action, stating that the objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, he has also made clear that Canada will not directly participate in the military campaign. McGuinty reiterated that the Canadian Armed Forces had no role in the planning or execution of the operation and that Canada was not given advance notice of the strikes.
In a written statement, Department of National Defence spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown confirmed that all deployed Canadian Armed Forces members in the region are safe and accounted for. The department said it continues to assess potential impacts on personnel and adjust its posture as required. It also confirmed that Canadian forces have no involvement in the U.S. mission known as Operation Epic Fury.
While expressing support for the objectives behind the strikes, federal officials have also called for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. As tensions remain high and hostilities continue, Ottawa says the safety of Canadian personnel and regional stability remain its top priorities.
