Anger in Iran over rendering plane crash: "Hide only to mourn Suleimani"

For days, Tehran has concealed its responsibility for the crash of the Ukrainian plane, which has among other things killed 82 civilians following an accidental rocket fire. After the admission of guilt, some Iranian public was not content with expressing the grief of authorities. Protesters took to the streets demanding government officials resign: "death to dictator"

Anger in Iran over rendering plane crash: "Hide only to mourn Suleimani"

Iran's responsibility for overthrowing the Ukrainian plane came on Saturday after mounting pressure from the world - but also from home. For some Iranians, the Iranian authorities' condolences for the deaths of 176 passengers and crew who were on the plane are insufficient. Among the passengers were 82 Iranians and 63 Canadian citizens, 11 Ukrainians - including all nine crew members - ten Swedes, four Afghans, three British and three Germans.

For days, the Islamic Republic has denied Western allegations that it was responsible for the crash that happened yesterday, shortly after the plane took off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. Authorities said today that the defense systems inadvertently launched a missile at the Boeing 737-800, following the high alert that followed the US targets in Iraq.

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"human mistake". Airplane crash site (Photo: Reuters)

The site of a Ukrainian International plane crashed after taking off from Tehran airport, Iran, January 10, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed regret for the mistake, but failed to reassure the angry Iranians who used social networks to protest the establishment for hiding the truth, and some even took to the streets. "This is a national tragedy. The way the authorities treated it even more tragically," said moderate cleric Ali Ansari, according to the semi-official ILNA News Agency.

Social media records show angry protesters near Amir Kabir University in Tehran, some of whom have called "death to dictator." Many Iranians have asked why authorities did not close Tehran Airport and the country's airspace while there were high alert warnings for fear of reprisals. This was followed by the assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani in the attack on US drones in Iraq, which was answered by missile fire on Iraqi bases - without casualties.

"They were so careful not to kill Americans with their revenge on Suleimani. But they did not close the airport? It shows how much the Iranian regime cares," said Mira Sadghati, of Tehran, in a phone call.

"Hide only to grieve." Iranian leaders at Suleimani's funeral (Photo: AFP)

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and regime officials at Qassem Suleimani funeral, Tehran, Iran, January 6, 2020 (Photo: AFP, official website)

A statement from the Iranian military said that the Ukrainian plane, which was on its way to Kiev, was inadvertently identified as a "hostile target" after heading toward a sensitive military base of the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. The statement added that it was an "unintentional human error."

"Unintentional?", Asked Reza Ghadiani of the city of Tabriz. "What does that mean? They hid this tragic news for days just to mourn Suleimani. Shame on you."

"The authorities' reference - even more tragic." Relatives of crew on plane crashed in Ukraine (Photo: Reuters)

Relatives of crew members on the Ukrainian plane crashed near Tehran at Boryspil Airport on January 11, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Tehran has spent three whole days at Suleimani's funeral, commanding Iran's affiliates outside the state and considered a national hero. Hundreds of thousands of people attended mourning events across the state.

While Iran promised to avenge Suleimani's death, she ended up not killing American soldiers but accidentally dropping a plane that most of its passengers were Iranian themselves. Some Iranians called for senior resignation and canceled their apologies.

"You have taken revenge from the Iranians," tweeted Ahmed Batavi, in response to a tweet by President Rouhani saying that "the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses deep regret for the devastating mistake." Another user responded: "Only resignation."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Zarif has blamed some on the disaster for what he called "American adventure." In response, he replied that "this is the fault line, Mr. Minister! You ruined everything!".

The EU has demanded an "independent and credible" investigation into the plane crash, while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for cooperation on Iran's part. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalansky spoke with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, saying that the confession was "a step in the right direction" and that those responsible should pay for their actions. He said Rouhani apologized on behalf of his state. "Iran has fully acknowledged that the plane crash has resulted in the deception of its military. We expect continued legal and technical cooperation, and I have absolutely insisted on completing the bodies' identification and return them to Ukraine," the Ukrainian President's office said.

(First update: 18:15)

Last Flight: Spy Network in Baghdad and Damascus that overthrew Suleimani