Iran takes responsibility: Ukrainian plane shot down for "human error"

The Iranian military has officially announced that the plane that crashed this week near its departure from Tehran was shot down by them following a "human error". Iranian President Rouhani wrote on Twitter that "Iran expresses deep regret for this devastating mistake. Our prayers are for the grieving families." In the plane crash, all 176 passengers were killed

Iran takes responsibility: Ukrainian plane shot down for "human error"

The Ukrainian Boeing plane that crashed last Wednesday immediately after taking off in Tehran was shot down for "human error" - Iran's military official said on Saturday. The Army statement also stated that the aircraft was flying close to a sensitive military site belonging to elite forces in the Revolutionary Guards and had aroused "higher sensitivity in air defense systems" and that those responsible for dropping the aircraft would be responsible.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani later wrote on Twitter that "The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry for this devastating mistake, our thoughts and prayers are for all the grieving families." Iran's Foreign Minister Muhammad Jawad Zarif also addressed the issue on Twitter, writing: "Sad day. The results of our military internal investigation show that following a human error, during a crisis created by the American adventure, the disaster happened." Zarif added, "We send our apologies and condolences to our people, the families of the victims and the other countries affected by the incident."

Iran's responsibility for dropping the plane in Tehran's skies this week comes after a sweeping denial of all Iranian officials, according to reports that an Iranian missile was fired at the plane after taking off. From a document verified by the New York Times this week, an Iranian missile that hit near Tehran airport was observed where the passenger plane crashed.

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The plane was shot down for "human error". The site where the plane crashed in Tehran, this week (Photo: Reuters)

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

The documentation shows a small explosion while a missile allegedly strikes an airplane flying near the airport. However, the plane did not explode. According to the New York Times, the aircraft continued to fly for a few minutes and then returned to the airport. According to videos from the scene, the plane at that point lost contact with it, flew into the burning airport and exploded in seconds. The images and voices in the documentation were found to match flight information and satellite imagery of the area near the scene of the crash. The pictures were taken yesterday by "Maxar Technologies".

According to the documentation, about 10 seconds passed from the moment the light flash was seen following the alleged rocket hit, until the blast was heard. The delay loudly implies that the plane was about three miles from the camera. The distance corresponds to the route of the "Ukrainian Airlines" flight, as documented by the flight tracking company "FlightRadar24".

Documentation and pictures showing: The Ukrainian aircraft was shot down by an Iranian missile

Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people.
Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. # PS752

"Those responsible for dropping the aircraft will be held accountable." The site where the plane crashed in Tehran, this week (Photo: Reuters)

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

Since the plane crash, international pressure has intensified on Iran, which has consistently denied that the plane was dropped by it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalansky said information transmitted by the United States could help decipher the incident. After a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who offered his country's support, Zalansky said, "I thank the condolences of the American people and their esteemed support of the United States for investigating the circumstances of a plane crash."

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. The aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, said it is working with the Federal Aviation Authority and the United States National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident.