Iran's Apology And Ukraine's Claims For Downfall Of Ukraine Airlines Plane

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JAKARTA - The Iranian government has admitted that they accidentally shot down a Boeing 737-800 belonging to Ukraine Airlines. They reasoned that the shots were fired because of the fault of the security forces (human error). As a result, 176 passengers on the plane were killed.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made this admission through his official Twitter social media account, @HassanRouhani. A few days earlier, the Iranian government had denied that it shot down the plane after a missile strike at a US military base in Iraq.

Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. # PS752

- Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020

He added that the Iranian government apologized for this incident. They also expressed their condolences for the incident.

The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm

- Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020

Meanwhile, reported by Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Iran to punish those responsible for the shooting. In addition, it also asked Iran to pay compensation and return the bodies of the victims of the crash.

"We expect Iran to bring the guilty ones to justice. We hope the investigation will be carried out without deliberate delay and without hindrance," Zelensky wrote.

He also asked the Iranian government to issue a formal apology and total access to carry out investigations for 45 Ukrainian experts in the investigation of the tragedy.

Yesterday, Prime Minister (PM) of Canada Justin Trudeau believed this plane was shot by Iran. Trudeau has received information from various intelligence and sources. Information he received indicated that the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile, but the shooting was likely accidental.

"This reinforces the need for a thorough investigation. Canadians have questions and they deserve answers," said Trudeau, quoted by the BBC, Friday, January 10, 2020.

But Trudeau said it was too early to blame Iran or draw any other conclusions. Trudeau also refused to go into detail about the evidence he got.