'I want answers': Trudeau says Ukraine International Airlines plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile

Share:

On Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was struck down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile on Wednesday.

“We have intelligence from multiple sources...including our own intelligence, that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile,” Trudeau said. “This may well have been unintentional.”

Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne reiterated the prime minister’s statement later in the day.

“The preliminary conclusions we have been able to draw, based on intelligence and evidence, are clear enough for me to share them with Canadians,” the prime minister added in his address.

Trudeau’s message follows statements from two U.S. officials that it is “highly likely” an Iranian anti-aircraft missile took down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, with Trump suggesting that Iran was responsible, without directly blaming the country, but adding that the plane was flying through a “pretty rough neighbourhood.”

“Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side," the U.S. president said. “Some people say it was mechanical...I personally don't think that's even a question."

When asked directly if he believes the U.S. is responsible for this tragic event, Trudeau said it is “too soon to be assigning blame or responsibility.”