Iran arrested involved in overthrow of aircraft: "unforgivable mistake"

Authorities announced first arrests following the air disaster, which has intensified international pressure on Tehran. Rouhani promised that those responsible would be punished. "We have to make sure it doesn't happen again"

Iran arrested involved in overthrow of aircraft: "unforgivable mistake"

Iran has arrested several officials involved in overthrowing Ukrainian plane last week - a spokesman for the Islamic Republic court said Tuesday in an attempt to stem the international crisis following the tragic incident following a Tehran missile attack on Iraqi bases in Iraq in response to the assassination of Quds Qassim Sulayman commander . He did not specify how many were arrested.

Since Saturday, when the regime admitted responsibility for killing 176 passengers, mostly Iranians and Canadians of Iranian origin, protesters have taken to the streets to protest against the whitewash and government officials. Among other things, they burned images of Suleimani and called "death to the dictator" against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A spokesman for the justice system said about 30 protesters had been arrested in recent days, but noted authorities would allow peaceful demonstrations. These continued today, the fourth day in a row.

Today, President Hassan Rouhani once again promised to punish all those responsible for the accident, which he says will be thoroughly investigated. "It's an unforgivable mistake. One person may not be the only one responsible for the plane crash," he said. Rouhani noted that the admission of the Revolutionary Guards by mistake is a "positive first step" and that "we must assure citizens that it will never happen again." The Iranian president added that his government "owes accountability to Iranian citizens and other countries whose citizens were killed in the crash."

During Iran's missile attack: US troops hid in Saddam bunkers

The overthrow of the Ukrainian plane

"Unforgivable mistake." The plane crash site last week (Photo: AP)

Bulldozer at the scene of Ukraine's passenger plane crash in Tehran, January 8, 2020 (Photo: AP)

High tensions with Iran have raged for the past year and a half, after US President Donald Trump resigned from the nuclear deal signed in 2015 in an attempt to pressure Tehran to negotiate a new agreement. Iran rejects this as long as the sanctions remain intact, and it has dramatically reduced its commitments to the agreement. In addition, a series of security incidents were recorded in the region involving Iran, including sabotage of oil tankers, the toppling of a US drone and an attack on Saudi oil facilities.

At the same time, France, the United Kingdom and Germany have announced to the EU that they are operating the mechanism set up under the agreement to resolve disputes between the signatory countries. European diplomats have made it clear that the decision is meant to save the agreement to discuss with Iran what needs to be done to bring it back from its recent moves. They made it clear that there was no intention of re-imposing UN sanctions suspended following the agreement.

"Step in the right direction." Iranian President Rouhani with Amir Qatar (Photo: Reuters)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with Amir Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani during a reception ceremony in Tehran, January 12, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

However, the agreement has almost completely collapsed, and today British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Trump should replace the agreement with his own deal to ensure that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic denies any such intent. "If we're going to get rid of it (the agreement), let's replace it with the Trump deal," Johnson said. "It will be a great way forward." He said, "I do not want a military confrontation between us, the United States and Iran. Let's solve this."

(First update: 10:02)