Iran agrees to have shot down Ukraine International Airlines, by Travel Radar Correspondent Ankur Deo

In a shocking turn of events, Iran has recently admitted that it was responsible for shooting down the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) passenger jet this week, which we had speculated in our recent article titled: ‘Ukraine International Crash: Shot Down by Accident?’. UIA flight PS752 crashed just outside Tehran on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 and despite strong indications the aircraft was downed by an Iranian missile that was speculated by the USA and Canadian agencies, the Iranian Government had maintained the stand that crash was due to mechanical issues.

The Iranian government has admitted that flight PS752 was shot down accidentally by a missile launched by Iranian military after the aircraft took an unexpected turn towards a military base. Iran has agreed that it was a case of human error.

UIA PS752 crash site. Image Credits: CNN

Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said on Thursday (January 9, 2020):

‘We have evidence 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 have been unintentional.’

Whereas, according to New York Times:

‘…Flight PS752 took the flying posture and altitude of an enemy target … under these circumstances, because of human error,  the plane came under fire.’

An internal investigation found that missiles were fired due to human error, President Hassan Rouhani said. He described the crash as an ‘unforgivable mistake’. The Iranian military stated the Boeing 737-800 flew close Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ sensitive site and was mistaken for a hostile aircraft. Because of heightened tensions, Iran’s military was at its highest level of readiness, the statement said. It further stated:

‘In such a condition, because of human error and in an unintentional way, the flight was hit’.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani posted a tweet on January 11, 2020 as below:

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif apologised to the families of the victims but has refused to accept complete blame. Mr. Zarif said:

‘Human error at a time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism led to disaster.’

We are following this issue closely. Stay tuned for more.

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