The Iranian military said it mistook the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 as a “hostile target,” following reports of US military planes in the area.
The passenger plane bound for Kyiv, Ukraine, was taken down by an Iranian missile shortly after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday. The crash killed all 176 passengers on board.
Iran admitted on Saturday morning local time to accidentally downing the jet, blaming “human error.”Iran initially denied responsibility and blamed the crash on a mechanical problem with the jet, a Boeing 737-800.
The Iranian Armed Forces released a statement, further explaining the “error,” saying that the Ukrainian jet approached a “sensitive military site of the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], taking the shape and altitude of a hostile target,” according to Sky News’ Mark Stone.
The Iranian military said it mistook the Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 as a “hostile target,” saying in a statement that there were reports of US military planes in the area.
The passenger plane bound for Kyiv, Ukraine, was downed by an Iranian missile shortly after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday. The crash killed all 176 passengers on board.
On Saturday morning local time, Iran admitted to accidentally firing at the jet, blaming “human error.” Iran initially denied responsibility and blaming the crash on a mechanical problem with the jet, a Boeing 737-800.
The Iranian Armed Forces released a statement, saying that the Ukrainian jet approached a “sensitive military site of the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], taking the shape and altitude of a hostile target,” according to Sky News’ Mark Stone.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also released a statement, translated by the BBC, citing “an atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nationa following the martyrdom of general Qassem Soleimani and with the aim of defending against possible US Army attacks, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed forces were on full alert,” when the plane was shot down.
The timing of the incident, came after Iranian defense units received reports of “flying targets moving towards Iran’s strategic centers,” at a time when reports of “military flights of the US’ terrorist forces had increased around the country,” the Iranian military said.
“In such conditions, due to human error and in an unintentional move, the airplane was hit, which caused the martyrdom of a number of our compatriots and the deaths of several foreign nationals,” the statement said.
Rouhani said on Saturday that investigations will continue “to identify and prosecute this great tragedy and unforgivable mistake.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake,” Rouhani continued. “My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences.”
The plane was downed shortly after Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at US troops stationed in Iraq. No casualties emerged from the missile attack on two Iraqi military bases where US and coalition forces were housed. That strike was in retaliation for the death of Iran’s most prominent military commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed last week by a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.
(c) Business Insider
“military flights of the US’ terrorist forces had increased around the country,”
I think we saw exactly who the terrorists are. I imagine they were jumping up and down when they blew this “American” plane out of the sky, just like Strelkov in Donbas with MH17.
And why did someone film the attack on the plane anyway? Were they planning this in advance? Can’t get that russian stench out of my nose when it comes to this ‘accident’.
Anti Aircraft Systems just a mile away from an international airport… blowing my mind…
Yeah, and how would a plane taking off, fly over a sensitive military area. It’s BS. Plus, why would you have a sensitive military area next to a civilian airport?
Maybe for target practice…
With Russian advisors training them.
Or they knew exactly what they were doing; taking out their hatred by using Russian supplied equipment on a US ally that just happens to be intensely hated by their ultimate boss; fuehrer putler.
A disqus poster suggests another scenario. I hope that ‘EverSubtle’ will not mind me reproducing his/her post :-
‘Well you see…. there was this big party going on at the Iranian base, they were putting back the smuggled vodka and you know they cannot hold their liquor…
Well the next thing you know, one of the officers thought the control keyboard was a musical keyboard and started rocking to Queens ‘We are the champions’ and well the rest we already know. Missile shot and plane downed.
Or so that’s what I heard so far from my sources :P’
Coincidence it was a Ukrainian plane?
Euromaidan Press:
http://euromaidanpress.com/2020/01/10/ukrainian-airliner-apparently-downed-in-iran-by-russian-made-missile-all-we-know-so-far/
Plane was delayed from taking off for 1 hour by Iranian authorities. Russia is supplying intel to Iran about American Military aircraft activity. It is plausible that Russia gave Iran false information causing a Shootdown of the Ukrainian Aircraft. . Russia capitalizes from the Crises financially because oil Prices will rise.
Putin will phone this friend in Iran: Stupid fool, never admit guild, never, even with full proof, thats how I run Russia for 20 years!
It could be that the Iranians only felt compelled to admit culpability when they found that the victims were overwhelmingly their own people. If the passengers had been mainly Ukrainian or American I guess they would have continued bullshitting. I could only find two or three Ukrainian names in the deceased, which suggests that even most of the flight crew were of Iranian origin. Can anyone explain this?
Obviously no visual confirmation of Aircraft type, origin and intent. Great job boys, next week you can shoot down the number 32 Bus from Tehran to Karaj.
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