Confessions, apologies, and explanations. After several days of denials, the Iranian authorities launched Operation Transparency this Saturday, acknowledging that it was the cause of the crash of the Ukrainian Boeing Wednesday just after taking off from Tehran. Several causes are put forward to explain the drama.
1. The alert level. The statement of the Iranian army staff immediately puts the context in advance: "In the hours following the (Iranian) missile strikes, the flights of combat aircraft of the American terrorist forces around the country increased and information has been transmitted to the defense units about air targets heading towards strategic centers of the country, and several targets have been seen on certain radar screens ”.
2. A misinterpreted maneuver. "In a crisis and sensitive situation, Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752 took off from the airport [...] and when it was about to turn (it seemed to be approaching) from a sensitive military center" the Revolution, the latter also said. And to add this remark: the plane was then "at an altitude giving it the appearance of a hostile target".
VIDEO. Iranian Boeing crash: Iran admits responsibility
3. The confusion of a soldier. On the ground, in one of the defense units within range of this potential target, a missile operator will then confuse the plane with a "cruise missile", according to the version given this Saturday by television by the general Amirali Hajizadeh, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard aerospace branch. "He had ten seconds to decide."
4. A shot without order, in full "telecom jamming". Also according to General Hajizadeh, the operator in question was unable to obtain confirmation of the firing order due to "telecommunication jamming". In short, he was alone in the face of his decision. "He could decide to shoot or not to shoot [but] he made the wrong decision," said the officer, sharply.
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5. The missile exploded near the aircraft. Finally, according to Amirali Hajizadeh, "it was a short-range missile which exploded near the plane". This explains why the aircraft could continue to fly for a few minutes and did not explode in flight. "I take full responsibility [for this disaster] and I will abide by any decision that will be made," said the general, adding, "I would have preferred to die rather than witness such an accident. "
VIDEO. Iran: video showing Ukrainian Boeing hit by missile
