Canadian troops in Middle East ‘fared well’ amid Iran war, says McGuinty – National
Defense Minister David McGuinty says Canadian troops in the Middle East are out of danger as the US and Israel continue to fire missiles at Iran.
McGuinty did not provide details on Tuesday when asked how many Canadian troops were in the region, saying only “some”.
“They’re all fine, they’re not in danger and it’s something we’re looking at very closely,” McGuinty told reporters in Sydney, Australia, where he was on an official visit with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
McGuinty said the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a positive development.
“Ayatollah Khamenei has been the most powerful force of evil in Iran and the region for many, many years,” he said.
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Carney authorized US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, but also said Canada would not participate.
McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces were not involved in the preparation or execution of the attack and Canada was not given advance notice.
He said the government “decided from the beginning” that it would support the attack but also wanted an end to the conflict.
The Department of National Defense has not said how many Canadian troops are stationed in each country in the Middle East. The ministry said only that the Canadian Armed Forces will “assess any potential impacts on CAF personnel in the region.”
“The safety and security of all deployed CAF personnel remains our top priority. Consistent with established procedures, the CAF adjusts its presence and posture at deployment locations as necessary,” department spokesman Nick Drescher Brown wrote.
“All CAF personnel in the region are currently safe and responsible. For security reasons, CAF does not disclose security measures.
“The CAF is not involved in the United States’ Operation Epic Fury, and no CAF members are involved in its operations.”
– via files from Dylan Robertson in Ottawa
© 2026 The Canadian Press
