Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo: CPAC)
Canada’s prime minister is confirming reports Iran may have mistakenly shot down that Ukraine jet Wednesday near Tehran.
During a news conference Thursday, Justin Trudeau explained the news will come as a further shock to those who are already grieving
“We have intelligence from multiple sources, including our allies and our own intelligence. The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. This may well have been unintentional.”
The crash killed all 176 people on board the plane, including at least 63 Canadians.
Trudeau said the new information reinforces the need for a “thorough and credible” investigation into the crash, adding Canada is working with its allies to ensure that happens.
“Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister [Javad] Zarif. Minister Champagne made it clear that Canadian officials must immediately be granted access to Iran in order to provide consular services, identify the victims, and participate in a thorough investigation,” he said.
Last night, I spoke to my Iranian counterpart. Here is the readout of our conversation. pic.twitter.com/CHN1nDBrYJ
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) January 9, 2020
Trudeau was asked Thursday if his government considers the downing of the Ukrainian plane an “act of war.”
“I think it is too early to draw definitive conclusions like that one,” he said. “That is why we need a complete and credible investigation.”
With files from Vic Krasowski.
