‘Disastrous mistake’
DUBAI - Iran said on Saturday its military had shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard in a “disastrous mistake”, saying air defences were fired in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on US targets in Iraq.
Iran had denied for days after Wednesday’s crash that it had brought down the airliner, although a top Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday that he told authorities about the unintentional missile strike the day it happened.
Even as top Iranian officials and the military issued apologies, protests against authorities spread across Iran including in the capital Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh.
Foreign governments condemned Iran’s shootdown, with Ukraine demanding compensation. Canada, Ukraine and Britain, however, called Tehran’s admission an important first step.
“What Iran has admitted to is very serious. Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific. Iran must take full responsibility,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose country had 57 citizens on board, told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa.
“Canada will not rest until we get the accountability, justice, and closure that the families deserve.”
Mr Trudeau said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing a dialogue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Iran’s acknowledgement was a step in the right direction but added, “The perpetrators must be held accountable.”
Writing on Twitter, Mr Zelenskiy said Mr Rouhani had apologised to him on behalf of his country. Mr Zelenskiy demanded that the victims be identified and returned to Ukraine at once.