PM We need transparency and dialogue
Gordon Blackstock Boris Johnson has called on Iran to work with investigators after it admitted shooting down a passenger jet killing 176 people.
The Prime Minister said the probe should be “comprehensive, transparent and independent”.
His intervention came after a day of high drama that saw the Iranian military finally admit to “unintentionally” bringing down the Ukrainian airliner.
The flight had just taken off from Tehran and was destined for Kiev when it was struck by a missile.
Iran had attacked American bases in Iraq hours earlier.
Officials had claimed it was “scientifically impossible” for the disaster to be Iran’s fault before announcing yesterday morning “human error” led to it being shot down.
Johnson said Iran’s U-turn had been “an important first step” in dealing with the tragedy, which left four British nationals and 57 Canadians among the dead. The victims also included dozens of Iranians and nat iona l s f rom Uk ra ine, Afghanistan and Germany.
The PM said the UK would assist the nations affected by what Iranian president Hassan Rouhani called an “unforgivable mistake”. Johnson said: “We now need a comprehensive, transparent and i ndependent internat ional investigation and the repatriation of those who died.
“This tragic accident only reinforces the importance of deescalating 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.”
Rouhani earlier admitted Iran’s military had wrongly believed the Boeing aircraft was a cruise missile. Just hours earlier, Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.
Those attacks were in response to a US drone killing General Qasem Soleimani on January 3.
Iran have said the plane turned towards a sensitive site belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which led to it being shot it down.
Since the tragedy, social media footage has shown protests in Iran, cal l ing for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to resign.
Khamenei released a statement insisting he had not been involved in misleading the world.
The semi-official Fars news agency reported that he ordered the “truth to be made known to the people explicitly and honestly” as soon as it emerged.
The Queen sent a message of condolence to the governorgeneral of Canada.
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau said: “This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together.”