OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty says he “didn’t know about” potential damage to Canadian assets from an Iranian airstrike on an airbase in Kuwait until a Quebec newspaper reported on it.

The minister still refuses to say whether the attack struck or damaged any Canadian assets at the base.

La Presse reported on March 12 that an analysis of satellite imagery suggests the small Canadian section of the Ali Al-Salem airbase sustained damage in an attack on March 1.

McGuinty told reporters in Kitchener, Ont., today that he learned about the “situation” while travelling overseas with the prime minister, but adds he won’t comment further due to “operational security reasons.”

The federal Conservatives accuse the government of being too secretive about the war and point out that Canada’s allies are sharing such information openly at daily briefings.

Some Canadian federal party leaders with top-secret security clearance are now calling for a closed-door briefing on the airstrike.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press