THE DEADLY MISTAKE: DOWN CIVILIAN PLANE
IRAN yesterday admitted it shot down the Ukraine passenger jet in an “unforgivable mistake”.
In a dramatic U-turn after days of denials, the regime said the Ukraine International Airlines plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile, killing all 176 aboard, soon after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday.
Iran originally claimed the Kievbound jet had mechanical issues, but yesterday’s about-turn came amid overwhelming intelligence, independent evidence and the fear of losing already crumbling European support.
The Boeing 737’s passengers included three Britons, 57 Canadians and 82 Iranians, who were eventually heading for Toronto, Canada.
But Flight 752 was downed soon after Revolutionary Guards fired 12 missiles at coalition bases in Iraq, in retaliation for the US killing the architect of Iran’s Middle East policy, General Qassem Soleimani.
The Russian-made weapons were believed to have been fired by a Guard unit at Parandak barracks, on the outskirts of Tehran, in the mistaken belief the jet was a US missile.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said investigations were continuing to “identify and prosecute this great tragedy and unforgivable mistake”.
Supreme leader Ali Khamenei said there was “proof of human error” and he had told authorities to take “necessary measures” to prevent it from happening again.
Foreign minister Javad Zarif apologised to victims’ families, but said “human error at a time of crisis caused by US adventurism” had led to the “disaster”.
The Iranian military, which was “at its highest level of readiness”, said the flight turned towards a “sensitive military centre” with the “flying posture and altitude of an enemy target”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Iran’s acceptance of responsibility was “an important first step” and added: “We now need a comprehensive, transparent and independent international investigation.
“This tragic accident only reinforces the importance of de-escalating tensions in the region.we can all see very clearly that further conflict will only lead to more loss and tragedy.
“It is vital that all leaders now pursue a diplomatic way forward.”
The Queen sent a message to
Canada’s governor general, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Canada, which has suffered such a devastating loss.”
Prince Charles said he and wife Camilla were “utterly horrified”, adding: “We can only begin to imagine the heart-rending anguish of the families and friends of those are mourned at a vigil in
who were killed in this catastrophe. However hopelessly inadequate it may be, we particularly wanted you to know just how much our hearts go out to all those whose grief must be unbearable.”
Iran’s admission comes amid a tense period in the Middle East. Two US soldiers were killed by a bomb in Afghanistan yesterday.
Analysts warned the West was now “back at square one” in tackling Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
US President Donald Trump left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal, aimed at seeing Iran agree not to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for the release of tens of billions of frozen dollars.
European nations, including the UK, are now attempting to keep the agreement afloat, even though
Iran has, in effect, abandoned it. Cailin Birch, of the Economist Intelligence Unit think tank, said the deal still had an important role to play in “ensuring cooler heads prevail among two governments with impulsive streaks”.
She added: “If Trump wins [the US election] in November, then we really are back to square one, and that’s in terms of all relations with Iran, not just the nuclear deal. He will want to strike a completely new agreement.
“A win by Democrats, however, would see the deal being resurrected as it stands.”
Dr Stephen Hurst, author of The United States And The Iranian Nuclear Programme, said everything the Obama government and its allies achieved had been “effectively undermined” and accelerated by Soleimani’s assassination. He added: “As long as we cling to the fiction that the deal survives and continues to be of value, we don’t have to start making unpleasant choices about who to side with.
“At this point, Britain would
‘An important first step’ ‘This is back to square one’
lose nothing by publicly leaving the JCPOA and showing Trump the support he so badly needs ahead of trade negotiations.”
Last week Mr Trump stepped up sanctions to force Tehran to stick to 12 demands designed to “stop the Iranian regime’s global terrorist activities”.
They range from giving