- Those responsible will be prosecuted
- Expresses deepest sorrow on behalf of Islamic Republic of Iran
Emmanuel Ukudolo l Saturday, January 11, 2020
TEHRAN, Iran – The Iranian Government today admitted shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane. In a statement President of Iran, Mr. Hassan Rouhani said human error in the face of intimidation by the American regime led to this terrible catastrophe.
All 176 passengers onboard flight PS752, comprising 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals died in the crash. The plane, Boeing 737 operated by Ukraine International Airlines took off early Wednesday en route Ukrainian capital Kiev but found itself hit by dozens of missiles fired by Iranian forces targeting American bases in Iraq for the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.
Speaking on the crashed plane, Hassan Rouhani said those responsible for this unforgivable mistake will be prosecuted and expressed his deepest sorrow on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to him, with the utmost regret and sorrow, hours ago I was informed of the outcome of the General Staff of the Armed Forces’ investigation into the Ukrainian passenger plane crash. In the atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by the American Army, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe taking the lives of dozens of innocent people because of human error and mistaken shooting”, Rouhani said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry by this disastrous mistake, and I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic incident on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and instruct all related organs to take all necessary measures to compensate and sympathise with the bereaved families. I also express my deep condolences and sympathy of the Iranian government to the nations, governments and families of non-Iranian victims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in full consular cooperation to identify and return the bodies of victims to their families.
“This painful accident is not something that can be easily overlooked. Further investigation is needed to identify all the causes and roots of this tragedy and prosecute the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake and inform the honourable people of Iran and the families of the victims about it.
“It is also necessary to adopt the required arrangements and measures to address the weaknesses of the country’s defence systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated. Again, I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of this painful accident, praying for those who lost their lives and wishing their bereaved families patience and rewards”, he said.
