Global leaders demand probe after admission that jet was shot down in error
US tried but failed to kill second top Iran leader Sultan of Oman, Middle East’s longest-reigning monarch, dies at 79
Iran must allow an independent investigation and prosecute those responsible for downing a passenger plane, world leaders said yesterday.
Iran’s leaders had earlier admitted it had shot down the Boeing 737, killing all 176 on board, by mistake.
Victims included dozens of Iranians and Canadians, as well as nationals from Ukraine, the UK, Afghanistan and Germany.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Tr udeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have demanded answers.
Protestors in Iran have called on the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to resign.
The plane was shot down after it took off from Tehran on Wednesday, amid heightened tensions stemming from the US air strike that killed Iran’s top general, Qassim Soleimani.
Hours earlier Iran had carried out retaliatory missile strikes on airbases housing US forces in Iraq and it is thought Iranian air defences were primed for the US to strike back.
Boris Johnson said Iran’s admission of responsibility was “an important first step” and vowed to ensure the families of four British victims get answers. He added: “We now need a comprehensive, transparent and
The Middle East’s longest-ruling monarch, Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has died at the age of 79.
Sultan Qaboos, who ruled for 50 years and did not have any children, came to power when he deposed his father in a 1970 palace coup.
He was known internationally for his independent international investigation and the repatriation of those who died. The UK will work closely with Canada, Ukraine and our other international partners affected by this accident to ensure this happens. “This tragic accident only reinforces the importance of de- escalating tensions in the region.”
In a statement yesterday, Justin Trudeau he said: “Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims. This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together. “The Ca n a d i a n g ov e r n m e n t expects full co-operation from Iranian authorities.”
The Queen said her thoughts and prayers were with Canada. In a message to the Governor- General of Canada, the Queen said: “Philip and I have been deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life following the crash of the Ukrainian diplomatic balancing in the Persian Gulf. Under his leadership, Oman often served as a facilitator for talks between adversaries, including Iran and the US.
Following Islamic tradition, he was buried before nightfall. A statement from the US embassy in Oman said: “We have lost one of the world’s
Airlines aircraft in Iran.” Ukraine’s president said Iran must take further steps, including an official apology, following the admission that it was responsible.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that his country expected “assurances” from Iran of a “full and open investigation, bringing the perpetrators to justice”.
He added that Ukraine expected the “paying of compensation” and “official apologies through diplomatic channels”.
He also expressed hope for the continuation of the crash investigation without delay. A team of Ukrainian investigators is already in Iran.
The Iranian missile operator who shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet thought he had seconds to take out an incoming American missile after his communications jammed, it has been claimed.
Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace commander, said the operator had mistaken the Boeing 737 for a US cruise missile responding to Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
Iran initially denied any involvement in the crash and blamed engine failure.
Iran’s ambassador to the
UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, apologised for sharing “wrong findings”.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his “deep sympathy” to the families of the 176 victims, and called on the armed forces to “pursue probable shortcomings and guilt in the painful incident”. great leaders – a visionary responsible for Oman’s prosperity and progress for the last half-century.
“His Majesty Sultan Qaboos will be missed not only by the people of Oman, but also by his friends and admirers the world over, including in the United States.”
Last night, Oman announced
Culture Minister Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as its new ruler.
The new sultan was selected in an intricate process broadcast on state TV.
The country’s defence council, in the presence of the royal family council, was shown cutting open a sealed letter in which Sultan Qaboos names his choice for successor.
The US military tried, but failed, to assassinate another senior Iranian commander on the same day that their airstrike killed the Revolutionary Guard’s top general, officials in Washington have said.
An airstrike targeted Abdul Reza Shahla’i, a commander in Iran’s Islamic Republican Guard Corps, but the mission was not successful.
The Pentagon declined to discuss the highly-classified operation, which took place in Yemen.
Navy Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said: “We do not discuss alleged operations in the region.”
The US Department of the Treasury has accused Shahla’i of “a long history of targeting Americans and US allies globally”, including killing Us-led coalition forces in Iraq.
It has offered a
$15 million reward in connection with him under its “Rewards for Justice” programme.
Qassim Soleimani died in a separate air strike in Iraq authorised by President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, two American soldiers have been killed, and two others injured, when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.
The Taliban have admitted responsibility.
The quick announcement and the unsealing of the letter showed a ruling family determined to avoid any delay over the succession.
Oman, which sits on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula across from Iran, is a close ally of Washington and is viewed as a valuable regional player.